Obviously, Grand Theft Auto VI was never going to simply do the same thing as before with better graphics. The new installment offers new features compared to previous entries, and of course there will be new things to discover in this modern Vice City, where we will climb the criminal ladder to the very top of Leonida's underworld... in an attempt to leave it behind forever. Here you will find all the official new features and theories based on what has been shown in trailers and content shared by Rockstar. Everything that is not marked as speculation is official or comes directly from images or trailers that allow this information to be inferred.
We should clarify that we are referring to changes and new features that mainly affect gameplay, not visual or technical improvements that are already to be expected.
We return to the system of multiple playable characters. However, instead of the three characters in GTA V, this time we have two characters we can switch between at any time, except, presumably, in very specific situations: Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval.
It is worth noting that, just like in GTA V with its multiple characters, there will be no co-op gameplay options. This is a single-player game.
Lucia and Jason each have at least one special combat ability that allows them to slow down time, but each one has different effects. In Jason's case, it is basically the Dead Eye from Red Dead Redemption: time slows down, we mark several targets and open fire. In Lucia's case, it focuses on a single powerful shot while time is slowed down.
This information is speculative and based on old builds of the game. It may not make it into the final version, although it would not be the first time Rockstar has introduced this mechanic in its games.
The story will be divided into clearly differentiated chapters, rather than having a prologue followed by the main missions. Although it may seem like an insignificant change, it opens the door to time jumps that could be vital for things such as Lucia legally getting rid of the ankle monitor that allows parole officers to track her position at all times, or for changes to the map.
It seems that the cinematic mode from Red Dead Redemption 2 could be back. This alternative camera mode was mainly used in automatic movement sections, such as horseback journeys in RDR2, to offer special and more interesting camera shots and angles for a more spectacular presentation. It is possible that the same idea will be used in this new GTA installment.
This information comes from a reference to cinematic mode in development tools, so it may not make it into the final version of the game.
Vice City will include a reinterpretation of Miami's Metromover, the city on which it is based. It is a kind of driverless train, free and open to the public, that allows citizens to move between established stops. In GTA 6, its name is Metro Mule. For now, it has not been confirmed whether it will be usable, although its presence in the game would not make sense as a simple decorative element if we cannot use it to get around without having to drive.
The equipment wheel has been improved to make it easier to manage. You can now switch between different weapon and item sections by pressing a button.
Perhaps in an effort to make the game somewhat more realistic, carrying a ton of available weapons is over. Following in the footsteps of Red Dead Redemption 2, you will be able to carry two main weapons, one sidearm and a limited number of items. The rest of your equipment will be stored in the trunk of your car or in a duffel bag that you can carry with you, but you will have to access it to swap your active gear.
The weapon upgrade system has been improved, as redundant as that may sound. No further details have been given, although it is to be expected that the aim is to offer more options for barrel types, sights, silencers and, of course, skins to satisfy that need to make your weapons feel unique.
There is speculation that there will be three weapon tiers, with the most basic being civilian-type weapons and the highest being military-grade weapons. If the goal is realism with weapons, it is obvious that you should not be able to buy automatic assault rifles, whose possession by civilians is banned in the United States except for weapons manufactured before 1986.
According to the leaks and rumors circulating among the community, there will be a dialogue system similar to the one in RDR2, allowing us to use different tones when speaking to certain NPCs. This will allow conversations to branch in different directions depending on whether we want to use a more aggressive, persuasive, negotiating tone and so on. The options would have their objectives clearly marked when choosing them, in a similar way to what we have seen in many other games.
Lucia and Jason's pasts mean that they have received special combat training, Jason at a professional level and Lucia from her father. They are not just simple gang members, and this will be reflected in an improved melee combat system with much more detailed animations.
Unlike what happened in the previous installment, you will now be able to crouch freely without needing to get close to cover. This feature will allow you to get through certain areas without having to resort to shootouts. It will also be possible to tie up unconscious NPCs and move bodies to hide them from guards.
The days of being able to open any vehicle are over. Trying to steal high-end vehicles is not as easy as breaking a lock, and now you will have to use an electronic hacking system to take luxury cars. This will involve completing a special minigame to bypass the car's security systems.
After GTA V lowered the maximum wanted level to five stars, GTA VI would bring back six stars. This means that if Lucia and Jason start causing chaos in a, let us say, "too effective" way, military forces would be deployed to hunt us down. It should be noted that this information comes from leaks and could be discarded to avoid breaking some of the game's realism. However, given that Jason's past includes a military career, it is possible that the military trying to hunt them down could be justified if they go too far.
The rumors also include details suggesting that leaving witnesses behind will make it easier to identify us by creating a composite sketch of our characters, and that the police presence will not be instant; instead, officers will have to arrive at the crime scene.
The city's gangs have bases that can be raided, where we will be able to obtain loot, weapons and gear. Although it is not yet clear whether these will be repeatable activities or whether a base will no longer be available once it has been raided, this mechanic is confirmed by one of the contents of the Ultimate Edition, which adds an exclusive gang base.
