Some of the first gameplay details for Grand Theft Auto 6 have been confirmed, and it looks like Rockstar is adopting a more RPG-style style this time around. As part of a cover story for Dazed magazine, Rockstar Games revealed a lot of new information about Grand Theft Auto 6. Arguably the most notable details revolve around some of its gameplay features. In GTA 6, players will be able to eat, exercise, and sleep, all of which have an impact on the game’s two protagonists, Jason and Lucia. Players will have to take care of the pair in Bonnie and Clyde style, as eating will affect their weight, exercising will visibly change their build and strength, and lack of sleep will negatively affect their features. It’s unclear if the lack of sleep will affect actual gameplay, or if they’ll simply appear sleep deprived, but it’s a clear sign of Rockstar’s attention to detail. For many, this may remind you of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. That game featured many role-playing game mechanics that allowed CJ to fluctuate in weight and fitness. Later games largely removed these elements, but GTA 5 featured a statistics system that allowed players to improve their stamina and strength by performing physical activities such as running, playing sports, and cycling. Additionally, there is also a social media feed for players to scroll through, something fans have speculated about since the game’s reveal in 2023. Character switching also returns from GTA 5, allowing players to play as a pair or split up and operate independently. Dazed teased that the relationship between these two is a major focus of the game and that decisions made by the player have “repercussions that run much deeper” than the honor system in the Red Dead Redemption series. “We look back at our previous games with a critical eye and see where we want to evolve based on what we didn’t do as well as we would have liked, either because we didn’t have the time, resources or technological capabilities, or in some cases, things we just didn’t do as well or consider as fully as we could,” said Rob Nelson, co-studio head at Rockstar North. “A lot of what we do is very iterative – we adjust a lot of things based on what we feel based on what works and what doesn’t.” Based on that information, it’s possible that there is some kind of relationship meter that could affect how Jason and Lucia feel about each other. Ultimately, it seems like Rockstar is creating a much more interactive and nuanced game. That shouldn’t come as a surprise after Red Dead Redemption 2, but it looks like Rockstar is really pushing the boundaries with GTA 6. Tomorrow, fans will be able to get an in-depth look at the game thanks to an expanded view launching on Netflix at 3 p.m. ET, with a YouTube version following six hours later. GTA 6 Ultimate Edition Screenshots GTA 6 has seen a slew of leaks over the past week, including one focused on the story today. Rockstar Games issued a statement this morning confirming that the situation was “heartbreaking,” but it is working hard to deliver a product that exceeds expectations. Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on November 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PS5.Cade Onder is a freelancer on IGN’s news team. Covers everything related to entertainment including games, movies and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
