As the November 19th release of Grand Theft Auto VI approaches, the floodgates have opened on details for arguably the most anticipated video game of all time. From an extended look that premiered on Netflix to deep dives published by Dazed magazine, IGN, The New York Times, and Game Informer, there is now an overwhelming trove of information to sift through.
Whether it is revelations about the gameplay, story details, or new features taking cues from Red Dead Redemption 2, Consequence has you covered with everything we know so far about Grand Theft Auto 6.
Read previously revealed information about the characters here, and learn about pre-ordering the game here.
This article was last updated on September 29th, and we’ll keep adding more information as it rolls in.
You Can Pet (or Scold) Dogs
In the extended look, Jason has the option of petting, scolding, or studying a dog. Petting the dog results in an angel icon popping up, an example of choices having greater impact in the Red Dead Redemption 2-inspired honor system.
Wildlife Is More Diverse
Per Game Informer, GTA 6 will feature over 170 animal species. This includes more than 60 bird types and over 30 land mammals. Among the species are various fish and reptiles, as well as flamingos, alligators, pelicans, and manatees.
The Map Dwarfs GTA V’s
Rockstar has confirmed the GTA 6 map is at least twice the size of GTA V. It has six different regions: Vice City, Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, and Mount Kalaga National Park.
“This new world is different,” Rockstar North co-studio head Aaron Garbut told Game Informer. “We obsessed about every part – the rooftops, the alleys, the internals and everything in between to the point we hit a critical mass with the numbers of our interiors, and you start to feel the buildings are more real inside and out. This world is a cohesive whole with the density of content and a hand-crafted quality to every bit.”
The Weather System Is Much More Advanced
Owen Shepherd, Rockstar’s Vice President of Art for Lighting and Rendering, told Game Informer that GTA 6 will feature a re-engineered weather system that simulates tropical storms and hurricanes akin to those in Florida.
Designed to be more localized and persistent, the system will include “fully dynamic cloudscapes that roll across the map” and storms where “heavy clouds, strong winds, dense atmospherics, and a lot of rain combine.”
Finishing It Could Take 80 Hours
In an interview with The New York Times, Rockstar North co-head Rob Nelson said he completed an 80-hour playthrough in February, which the newspaper described as including the main story and “some optional goals with narrative ramifications.”
Character Swapping Is More Seamless
Player switching is quick in GTA 6, allowing you to swap between protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos at any time in the open world and during certain points in the story. Dazed cited an example of being able to change from driving as Jason to firing at enemies as Lucia.
Romance Is Optional — But Worth the Time
While Jason and Lucia are attached at the hip and a stronger bond is reflected in the story, romance isn’t a requirement.
“You will always have the benefit of working together and having each other’s back — whether they’re romantically close or not doesn’t change that,” Nelson told IGN. “They will still work together. It’s really about what you want for them, their story, and how it plays out. Whether you’ve nurtured the relationship or not will definitely have a bearing on how their story plays out.”
Stealing Cars Is More Realistic
GTA 6 features an updated vehicle theft system requiring digital key bypasses for certain models. Players also utilize a WAINK scanner to assess a car’s security level and resale value. However, built-in tracking devices can still get you into trouble.
Gunplay and Aiming Are More Refined
Besides smoother-looking aiming, GTA 6 will feature a slow-motion ability similar to Red Dead’s Dead Eye system, allowing you to target certain parts of enemies. Kill points are shown in red, while yellow indicates incapacitation.
Escaping Police Is More Challenging
Not only is the six-star wanted level back, but police can also identify your character through multiple levels of information including your vehicle, clothing, physical description, and CCTV footage. It seems like a refinement of RDR2’s bounty system.
Using Disguises Is Important
Due to the improved wanted system, merely putting on a hat and sunglasses won’t throw off the cops. Instead, you’ll need to change to entirely different outfits from your own wardrobe or visit a clothing store. A new haircut can also make you harder to find.
Eating Well and Exercising Matters
Just like real life, overeating and skipping workouts are detrimental to your character’s physique and stamina. So while you’ll regain health from eating, not all food is created equal. Nelson also told IGN that exercising allows you to “go up in levels of muscularity or strength.”
There’s a Side Activity for Everyone
Some of the side activities include lifting weights, playing basketball, backyard wrestling, riding electric scooters, scuba diving, swimming, jet skiing, kayaking, base jumping, mini golf, billiards, track racing, studying animals, airboating, and dirt biking.
The Soundtrack Album Is Packed with Big Names
Titled Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, the companion soundtrack was announced on September 17th. Featuring 34 original tracks, it’s set for release on November 19th and available for pre-order now.
The first eight songs are now available on all major DSPs: Travis Scott’s “RHYNO” produced by Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo; CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.., and Etienne de Crécy’s collaboration “Sexy Magic”; Morgan Wallen’s “Last Thing You Need”; Keith Richards’ “Bright Lights, Big City”; Rauw Alejandro’s “Macacoa 2000”; Yung Lean’s Future and Metro Boomin collaboration “That’s It”; Cardi B’s “Don’t Chart,” and Fuerza Regida’s “Suzuki.”
The remaining songs will be revealed at a later date. The official soundtrack album will serve as a supplement to the in-game radio stations in GTA 6.
Available in physical format (unlike the game), Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album will launch with multiple vinyl and CD variants, including three Atlantic Records exclusives “featuring exclusive new artwork and packaging designs that echo the iconic style of Grand Theft Auto VI,” according to a press release.
There will also be retail exclusives with unique vinyl pressing designs at Blood Records, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Urban Outfitters, and indie record stores.
Justice Are Composing the Original Score
Rockstar Games has revealed that French electronic duo Justice are composing the GTA 6 score. In a press release, the original score album is described as “the biggest, most immersive evolution of the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto series yet.”
Justice released a new single, “Flower in a Hurricane,” to accompany the news. The track features Tame Impala, SZA, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
The Radio Stations Feature All-Star Hosts and Curators
Spanning genres including Dirty South hip-hop, modern Latin music, “renegade country,” African music, classic heavy metal, and pop, the in-game radio stations are hosted by Bad Bunny; Lana Del Rey and her husband, Jeremy Dufrene; Robyn; Slayer’s Kerry King and Tom Araya; Burna Boy; Trick Daddy; and Morgan Wallen.
See full details here.
