GTA 6 gameplay features shown so far

Switching between Jason and Lucia is the headline system in the Extended Look. Here is what the footage showed of combat, robberies, the wanted system and lifestyle, and what is still unknown.

The headline feature: switching between Jason and Lucia

The biggest gameplay feature shown so far is character switching: you can move control between Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Dexerto describes "a fluid switching system allowing control to move between them during missions and free roam", and SVG reports that Rockstar has confirmed switching as a major feature.

Almost everything else known about how GTA VI plays comes from Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look, which premiered on 27 August 2026 and which Rockstar says was "Captured entirely from in-game footage on PlayStation 5". Rockstar has not published a feature list, so the details below come from the recaps by SVG, KeenGamer and Dexerto, and are attributed to them.

How switching works

According to SVG, switching between the two when they are far apart uses a quick bird's-eye view cutscene, while transitions when they are close together look relatively seamless. Dexerto adds that Jason and Lucia's relationship will also affect gameplay, though no recap explains how in detail.

Whether some missions lock you to one character, and how the story decides who you play, has not been shown.

Combat and car theft

SVG describes several combat moments from the footage. Jason shoots at enemies' legs to disable them without killing them outright, and in one chase he shoots down a helicopter from the back seat of a car.

Car theft has two approaches, according to SVG: use a shim to steal a car slowly and quietly, or smash through the driver's-side window for a faster, noisier job.

Robberies, police and the wanted system

SVG reports that the pair take on convenience stores, gas stations and phone shops, and KeenGamer lists a gas station and a waffle restaurant among the robberies shown.

Police attention is not only about shooting. SVG describes Lucia hiding a pistol behind her back to avoid attention from nearby NPCs, and the pair swapping vehicles entirely to drive past a squad of police cruisers without being noticed.

The size of the wanted meter is where the recaps disagree. SVG says GTA VI brings back the five-star wanted system, while KeenGamer reports six wanted stars. Rockstar has not stated a number, so neither figure is confirmed at the time of writing (October 2026).

Body, lifestyle and the phone

Lifestyle systems change how the characters look. Dexerto reports: "Haircuts, outfits, fitness, food, sleep, and other lifestyle choices will all contribute to how Jason and Lucia appear." Eating changes weight, exercise builds muscle, and Dexerto says long stretches without sleep can even alter their facial features. SVG gives a concrete example: eating and drinking affect Jason's weight and appearance, and a bench-press minigame tests Lucia's strength.

The phone carries working social feeds. According to Dexerto, players can browse them, and the rise of the rap duo Real Dimez plays out through viral posts, which fits Rockstar's own profile of the duo as built on "a relentless social media presence".

A more varied population

Dexerto reports that NPCs "have been designed to look, move, interact, and express themselves more naturally", with variety in ages, heights, body types, tattoos, piercings, plastic surgery and fashion. For the side activities, from fishing to basketball, see our article on GTA 6 activities.

What is still unconfirmed

• The wanted star count (five or six, depending on the recap).
• The story length. Rockstar has not stated one.
• Frame rate and graphics modes beyond secondhand preview reports.
• Any online mode. Rockstar calls GTA VI a single player experience.
• A PC version. GTA VI is due on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S only.

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