Rockstar Games has released a more in-depth look at the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto VI. The material, initially shown on Netflix this Thursday (27) under the title Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look, demonstrated various gameplay systems, new areas on the map, and more information about the narrative of Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
The content reinforced that the connection between the two protagonists will be intrinsically linked to the criminal plot. The official game description already indicated that Jason and Lucia would become involved in a conspiracy spanning the state of Leonida after an incident goes wrong. The new presentation serves to illustrate how this story will be implemented in practice.
The gameplay shows Jason and Lucia interacting with a criminal organization, introducing Raul Bautista, a character who takes on the role of a mentor for the couple. Raul had previously been introduced as an experienced criminal, focused on large robberies and always seeking individuals willing to take greater risks. In this new material, his experience seems to be used to insert Jason and Lucia into operations of increasing complexity.
The duo becomes part of the group led by this criminal, which opens the way for missions involving different organizations and gang conflicts. Simultaneously, Rockstar dedicated attention to the romantic relationship between Jason and Lucia, signaling that the protagonists' bond will transcend the mere setting of crimes.
A notable aspect is how the crimes are structured. Instead of focusing only on spontaneous robberies, the video shows operations that require prior planning, invasions, armed confrontations, and money bag escape sequences. A scene in a residence used for drug production was also shown, which quickly turns into great turmoil, underlining the role of criminal structures in the story.
The general impression is that some of the major heists will require preparation before being executed, incorporating ideas already seen in GTA V, but with expanded potential. Another feature inherited from GTA V is the ability to switch between protagonists. This time, this system is used to follow Jason and Lucia at different moments of the missions, allowing a single operation to be viewed or performed from varied perspectives.
The weapon selection maintains an aesthetic similar to the previous title, facilitating equipment swapping during confrontations. Combat appears at various times, both inside and outside vehicles. During chases, it is possible to shoot at other cars, and the vehicles show visible damage when hit.
Rockstar also reaffirmed its police pursuit system. A classic element of the franchise returns: the map begins to flash when police approach the area, helping the player identify danger during an escape. As expected, driving remains a central activity in Grand Theft Auto VI.
The video portrays Jason and Lucia moving through various regions of Vice City and Leonida, participating in races and chases, in addition to offering vehicle customization options. The scenes also help dimension the map, showing beyond the urban zones of Vice City, beaches, roads, and mountainous areas suitable for activities such as rally and off-road racing.
Rockstar had previously confirmed that the setting takes place in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, with Vice City as one of its main cities. However, not all the experience is limited to illicit acts. The presentation showed multiple available activities while the player explores the open world, such as swimming, jet skiing, basketball, car racing, and parachuting.
The presence of these activities suggests that Rockstar intends to once again transform the map into an explorable space independent of the main campaign. The aquatic environment also gains prominence; besides swimming, characters can use various marine vehicles, taking advantage of Leonida's vast coast. The new gameplay dedicated significant time to showcasing the scenery, showing a wide area that includes the city, beaches, and more distant locations. This environmental diversity indicates that GTA 6 will not be limited to the streets of Vice City.
Commerce and establishments remain present on the map, maintaining a tradition of the franchise and increasing points of interest during exploration. More than just sizing up the scenery, the video points to an effort to integrate these spaces into the activities available to the player. Although there is no complete break from what worked in Grand Theft Auto V, known systems—such as the weapon selection wheel, police pursuits, protagonist switching, driving, and secondary activities—remain present. The main distinction lies in the depth and degree of interaction of these systems: cars sustain damage, crimes involve more sophisticated plans, Jason and Lucia have distinct roles in the operations, and the world offers everything from sports to aquatic exploration, all while Rockstar develops the bond between the protagonists and their insertion into a larger criminal structure.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
