Become a TechRadar Insider
It’s been a long time coming, and that’s putting it lightly. Numerous delays early in development and exasperated sighs of disappointment have finally culminated in a countdown – GTA 6 will arrive sometime in the near future. Or, will it? I sure hope so.
It’s a launch that has been rampant with rumors and speculation, some believable and some wildly theoretical. It’s unsurprising, really, considering players have had such a long time to think about what they want. Me included. But, although we form the mightiest of focus groups fuelled by impatience and big, beautiful dreams, it doesn’t mean Rockstar Games has to listen.
Famously, Rockstar has crafted GTA titles smothered in expansive open-worlds, freedom to explore, and interesting narratives, but how do you follow that up after 13 years? Well, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick claims, in an interview with CNBC, that they’re looking to create “the best thing anyone’s ever seen in entertainment.”
That’s an incredibly bold statement given how much expectation already surrounds the eventual release. And while they've been drip-feeding us trailers and teasers, there’s really not a lot to go on. All we can do is make wild guesses and hope that something sticks. So, here it is, the 7 features I’m desperately wishing for in GTA 6.
Gimmie, gimmie more story
For GTA 6, we know that we're going to have the first dual protagonists in the series, Lucia and Jason, a criminal pairing with both characters reportedly playable. Centred in Vice City in the fictional Leonida, it’s bustling city streets and big-time robberies, but how much story will we actually get?
The main story in GTA V took around 32 hours to complete. In Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar’s most ‘recent’ release (8 years ago), it was 50.5 hours of content. So, what’s next? Dare I be so greedy as to ask for more? Rockstar could give me triple digits at this point, and I'd snaffle it up.
Okay, maybe that’s a step too far. I’m definitely after a hefty story, but I’ll tell you why I’m concerned about its length. Frankly, I don’t want to see spoilers. I live an adult life now. 13 years ago, I could spend an entire day, or even a week, playing. I can’t now, even if I do write about games. But people will undoubtedly beat me through the narrative, and I don’t want to rush it. So, I’ve got more story on my wishlist.
Sharing the love between modes
Like any good sibling family rivalry, there’s always a favorite. Undoubtedly, for GTA V, it’s favorite kid is the Online mode. What’s kept it thriving and evolving over the past 13 years is the swathe of updates introducing massive narrative content like The Doomsday Heist and entirely new places like the Diamond Casino & Resort. But that’s triggered a lot of discourse amongst fans who argue that the focus on the Online mode has ultimately diminished the scope of the main single-player game. And I agree.
I don’t blame it. GTA V Online is a real moneymaker, but with Rockstar currently holding back on the price of GTA 6, I’m thinking we’re about to be making a hefty investment, and I want a return on it. Online in GTA 6 is inevitable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What I’m simply hoping for is a little extra something-something for the main game players to keep us ticking along. There’s nothing wrong with a little downloadable content (DLC), but please share the updates to single players as well.
Expansive interiors
There are rumors that in GTA 6, you’ll be able to enter a lot more buildings. But, like a lot of the chat around Rockstar's upcoming release, fan theories are rife. There’s even been whispers suggesting that around a massive 70% of the buildings will be fully enterable, which seems like a pretty risky statement given it was a lot smaller in GTA V.
But, as we’ve seen with Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s the possibility for a lot more scope around exploring inside interiors. So, I’d definitely hope for at least a little more of that in GTA 6. I'm not asking for 70%.
With this, I’d also welcome more options for homes, as well as wider opportunities to decorate your interior. I’m partial to a Sim, very partial in fact. So, the concept of being able to have more control over where I live and what it looks like has always been a big part of my GTA experience. A few more fully customizable properties certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Mo money, mo problems
In GTA V Online, a combination of running passive businesses and carrying out active missions/heists is a surefire way to build up your income. But I don’t have enough time to spend doing all of these, and I also don’t love the grindy nature of it. What I don’t mind grinding over, though, is more natural ways of bringing in cash like robbing establishments, investing that bad money, and working my way up over time. And I think making money at a steadier rate will also create a nicer balance for the entire game, stopping players from getting too rich too fast.
I think there’s a pretty good scope for this, though, considering the storyline will seemingly focus on a criminal duo in a Bonnie and Clyde situation. I’m just hoping the missions force you to think about the way you’re making money and potentially even earn you some notoriety along the way. If I’m making more money, I want to have more problems, but I don’t just want to commit to constant robberies and heists.
Let’s get physical
With a return to Vice City, there also seems to be a lot of conversation around the return of sports, and hopefully, on my wishlist, the inclusion of ones we haven’t seen before. Or at least, making them playable. In the GTA 6 trailers, there have certainly been some hints of this, like basketball courts and stadiums lighting up the landscape, but will we be playing it, or simply watching it?
I’m keen to have more hobbies and competing in new (and old) sports around Leonida seems like the perfect downtime. I’d happily take the bowling from GTA IV back, if I could compete in a league and make some nice cash and a shiny trophy to boot. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to introduce Padel in some way. I don't even play sports games generally, but there's something about playing them in GTA 6 that makes it a hell of a lot more appealing.
No more flying futurism
Out with the new and in with the old. You heard. One of my favorite things about the GTA franchise has always been how realistic it is. But when they introduced weird flying vehicles like cars and bikes with rocket launchers, well, realism went out the window. No, no one’s forcing me to buy a $4 million Deluxo, but when someone else is whipping around with one in GTA Online, it’s jarring. It’s like that Treehouse of Horror episode in The Simpsons when Homer enters the real world – it doesn't look right at all.
I could just about put up with the chaos of Online before they introduced these soaring spectacles, but since the update, I've found it a nightmare. I don't even mind them flying around in the skies; it's just how crazy deadly they are. Plus, not only is it super expensive, but it also leads me into my next and final wishlist request. Here's looking at you, griefers.
A sanctum away from griefers
Cue System of a Down's Toxicity. I'm a simple player. When I'm not logging in with my friends, I'm definitely up for heading into Online, and since I need other players to get stuff done, it's a necessity. But that decision has become harder and harder to make when I'm getting absolutely griefed by another, much better, player.
If I could ask for one last thing on my wishlist, it would be that they incorporate some sort of hideout mode from griefers. If the toxic player behavior can't be penalized, then I'll take an escape from it instead because I do still really want to play with everyone. I just don't want them to hunt me down like Taron Egerton in that recent Netflix thriller, Apex.
In all fairness, I do think that a lot of people grief because they're desperate for something new to do, and hopefully with GTA 6's arrival, everyone's going to get along... At least for a little bit.
➡️ Read our full guide to the best gaming consoles
1. Best overall:
PlayStation 5 Slim
2. Best budget:
Xbox Series S
3. Best handheld:
Nintendo Switch 2
4. Most powerful:
PlayStation 5 Pro
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
