GTA 6 gameplay details: locked cars, police heat, Ryde Me and more from Rockstar’s interviews

Rockstar’s run of pre-launch interviews has filled in a lot of GTA 6 gameplay details, from how you steal a car to how the police remember you. Development lead Rob Nelson spoke to IGN, Edge and GamesRadar, and The Guardian visited Rockstar North for a feature out on November 14. Here is what they revealed.

Police and wanted level: the new GTA 6 gameplay details

Crimes are only reported if a witness sees them or an alarm goes off. Once police are looking for you, a heat system means officers remember what you were wearing. Buying a new outfit clears that heat.

You can also throw the police off by splitting Jason and Lucia up or by switching cars. A Focus mode, similar to Eagle Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2, highlights nearby cops. Get caught, and you still see the classic “Busted” screen.

Chases can also go wrong in new ways. GamesRadar described a getaway where a motorbike tyre blew out and a police dog pinned Jason to the ground. For the six-star system and Criminal Profile, see our gameplay systems guide.

Stealing cars is harder

You can no longer hotwire any parked car with one button. Some vehicles stay locked until you get tools such as a key cloner or a slim-jim. Carjacking a driver is always possible, though some drivers flee and others fight back.

Your phone has a scanner that shows whether a car is locked or has an alarm or tracker. It also lists its resale value and registration cost. Cars with advanced trackers must be driven fast, or they reveal your location to the police. Reports also mention fuel levels and engine condition.

Getting around Leonida

• Personal vehicle: call it at any time. It stores spare outfits and every weapon you have bought.
• Ryde Me: the game’s version of a ride-hailing app doubles as fast travel.
• Public transport: working buses and trains. Rockstar’s Phil Hooker told Edge the team tested a trip to Watson Bay using only public transport.

Jason and Lucia’s relationship

The bond grows when the pair spend time together, whether that is pool, mini golf, kayaking or a bank job. You can text or call the other character at any time, and ignoring a goodnight message may hurt the relationship a little.

The romance is optional and gives no gameplay bonus. However, Nelson said how well you nurture it will affect how their story plays out. Learn how swapping works in our guide to switching between Jason and Lucia.

Money, safehouses and everyday life

• Money matters more: some story sections need you to earn cash before missions continue.
• Safehouses: Nelson compared them to the camps in Red Dead Redemption 2.
• Looks: gyms build strength, overeating adds weight, and salons offer new hairstyles.
• Snapmatic: the social app is browse-only, because Jason and Lucia are a couple on the run.
• Wildlife: studying animals returns from Red Dead Redemption 2 as a collection activity.

The Guardian’s Keza MacDonald adds that Rockstar’s research trips to Miami began in 2015. She also saw Jason eat a donut and drink a beer while walking. Her full feature runs in The Guardian’s Saturday Magazine on November 14.

Sources

• Inven Global: GTA 6 full interview with Rockstar’s Rob Nelson (IGN transcript)
• GTAVice.net: GTA VI Edge preview reveals new details
• all.gg: GTA 6 reveals massive map, smarter cops and relationship system (GamesRadar interview)
• Notebookcheck: Guardian preview offers a look at the making of Vice City
• PC Gamer: GTA 6, what we know