Rockstar Games has revealed a wealth of new details about "Grand Theft Auto VI" in a recent Game Informer cover story, offering a closer look at how its world will work—from the map, dynamic weather and wildlife ecosystem to fast travel, robberies, car theft, side activities and the evolving relationship between its two protagonists.
Rockstar North co-studio head Aaron Garbut also confirmed that the map will be roughly twice the size of "Grand Theft Auto V." Despite that expanded scale, the team has not sacrificed detail, instead increasing the density of content, interactivity and explorable interiors. Rockstar has even rebuilt its entire weather system to include hurricanes, localized rainfall, rainbows and persistent puddles. Leonida will also feature more than 170 animal species, bringing the game closer to the richly detailed open world of "Red Dead Redemption 2."
▌Twice the Size of "GTA V"—Six Distinct Regions to Explore
"GTA VI" takes place across six major regions in Leonida: Vice City, the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga National Park. Rockstar said the main story will naturally take players through each area, highlighting the contrasts between affluent urban districts, impoverished communities and rural industrial zones.
Ambrosia is packed with factories and oil-refining facilities and is controlled by a biker gang separate from The Lost MC, suggesting that each region could have its own factions and social structure.
▌Hurricanes Confirmed as Rockstar Rebuilds the Weather System
The long-rumored hurricane system has now been officially confirmed by Rockstar. Heavy cloud cover, powerful winds, torrential rain, thunder, lightning and standing water will all dynamically affect the environment in "GTA VI."
Owen Shepherd, Rockstar's vice president of art specializing in lighting and rendering, confirmed that the studio rebuilt the entire weather system to support localized, persistent and constantly changing conditions. Players could be standing beneath clear skies while watching rainfall sweep across a distant area.
Along with downpours and hurricanes, the game will feature more realistic rainbows and persistent puddles. Standing water will be more than a visual flourish: Players may pass through an area after a storm and determine from the environmental aftermath that it recently rained, even if they never witnessed the shower themselves.
Wind will also have a physical impact on the world, creating ripples across water, moving characters' hair and sending loose trash and debris swirling through streets and other environments.
▌More Than 170 Animal Species, With Hunting and Tracking Returning
Leonida will be home to more than 170 animal species, including over 60 types of birds, more than 30 land mammals and a wide variety of fish, reptiles and aquatic wildlife. Sharks, jellyfish, whales, sea turtles and rays will each have distinct movement patterns, and players can encounter them while scuba diving.
Footage also shows Jason approaching a herd of deer with a rifle on his back, hinting at the return of hunting. Players will once again be able to track wildlife, while rare species that have yet to be revealed will also be hidden throughout the world.
▌Fast Travel Goes Rideshare—and You Can Scroll on Your Phone
Fast travel will be handled through rideshare vehicles, with players potentially sharing trips with other passengers and triggering unique conversations along the way. Those who would rather skip the small talk can open Snapmatic and scroll through its Instagram-style feed instead.
Because Jason and Lucia are fugitives, however, players will not be able to publish their own social media posts, preventing the pair from drawing unwanted attention by revealing too much about their whereabouts.
▌Gyms, Diving, Racing and a Long List of Side Activities
Confirmed side activities include skydiving, pool, gym workouts, kayaking, mini golf, scuba diving, street and off-road racing, visiting a zoo, riding hovercraft and driving personal watercraft.
Rockstar clearly wants players to experience everyday life in Leonida through recreation and exploration, not just the main story and criminal activities.
▌More Ways to Pull Off Robberies—and Luxury Cars Are Harder to Steal
Jason and Lucia can carry out robberies together or operate independently. Players may storm a location head-on or take a more discreet approach, with each method affecting the police response. When both protagonists are being hunted, they can split up, allowing one character to draw away a larger share of law enforcement.
High-end vehicles will require specialized tools to steal and may come equipped with trackers and more sophisticated anti-theft systems. Before making a move, players can use the WAiNK phone app to check a vehicle's security system, resale value and the cost of registering it as a personal vehicle. Stolen cars must then be handled through black-market dealers.
▌Players Decide Whether Jason and Lucia Become a Couple
Rockstar confirmed that Jason and Lucia are not guaranteed to become romantically involved. Players can build their relationship by going on dates, answering calls and messages, opening doors for one another or holding hands.
Those decisions will affect more than their personal bond. Choices both large and small may change how the plot unfolds and open different story branches, giving "GTA VI" a much stronger emphasis on replayability across multiple playthroughs.
▌NPC and Clothing Detail Gets a Major Upgrade
NPCs in "GTA VI" will vary in height, weight, skin texture, moles and tan lines, with differences extending to chest and hip proportions. Clothing will also reflect each character's location and social circumstances. Residents of poorer neighborhoods, for example, may wear dirtier and more worn-out outfits.
Rockstar said the game features the largest selection of clothing and accessories in the franchise's history. Shoes, watches, sunglasses, hats and other items will further reflect the culture and lifestyles of Leonida's different communities.
via： Game Informer