Grand Theft Auto VI, the long-awaited new entry in Rockstar Games’ iconic crime sandbox series, is set to launch in 2025. It should be one of the year’s most discussed and most successful games, considering GTA V’s ridiculous sales numbers (more than $800 million on its first day). GTA VI will boost the video game economy and give gamers a reason to purchase a PS5 or Xbox Series X.However, Rockstar has been very tight-lipped about what to expect from Grand Theft Auto VI. It released just one tantalizing trailer, though you can find leaked, unfinished gameplay footage online. Right now, we can only speculate about the crime drama’s direction. Before GTA VI becomes a reality, here are six features we’d like to see Rockstar implement in the game.
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(Credit: Rockstar Games)
1. A Crime-Filled Love StoryRumors suggest that GTA VI will be a tragic, criminal love story in the style of Bonnie and Clyde. The trailer seems to confirm this, focusing on a pair of lovers committing robberies. Two playable characters sound more manageable than GTA V’s trio (plus it will finally let us play as a woman). Grand Theft Auto is famous for its crass, satirical sense of humor, but centering a serious adult relationship may give GTA VI a stronger emotional core that’s closer to Red Dead Redemption. The main characters also appear to be Latino, which makes sense for the Miami-esque setting, so treating their story, humanity, and identity with respect would be a win for representation.
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2. Bigger HeistsGTA games let you indulge in debauchery in a sprawling city, but they need missions to provide structure. Grand Theft Auto V introduced elaborate, multi-step heists, and I’d love to see those return in GTA VI. Remember raiding federal buildings or stealing gold bullion? I want GTA VI heists to make me feel like I’m building an empire, not scraping by as a petty crook. It makes sense for the characters, ups the sense of scale, and deepens the gangster fantasy.
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3. A Florida Fever DreamGTA VI returns to the fake Miami, Florida, setting last seen in the beloved Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The Sunshine State has gotten even crazier over the past 20 years, and I’m morbidly curious to see that shift reflected in GTA VI. The trailer already references actual bonkers Florida headlines, such as the “Florida Joker” covered in clown makeup in his mugshot.
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GTA VI should have an in-game social media system, considering how much the real world relies on the internet for breaking news and entertainment. Imagine committing elaborate crimes to garner viral influencer attention or making connections with shady associates via the dark web. GTA VI needn’t go full Watch Dogs, but it should leverage contemporary tech that wasn’t quite as popular when GTA V dropped. Your phone should be just as powerful as your gun and your car.
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5. A Stellar, Modern SoundtrackGrand Theft Auto games deliver amazing, curated soundtracks. In fact, sometimes those soundtracks are so good they cause licensing issues that prevent later re-releases. I fully expect Grand Theft Auto VI to continue this trend. There’s been so much incredible music, perfect for criminal Florida dirtbags, released in the decade since GTA V’s release. Just think of all the potential drill music, mumble rap, and synth wave that could ride GTA VI’s in-game airwaves. And with GTA VI spotlighting its first female protagonist, it’s only right that the soundtrack spotlights female artists, such as Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. Will we get a reference to the Kendrick/Drake beef?
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(Credit: Rockstar Games)
6. Proof of Life From RockstarOver the years, Rockstar has made some of the best and most influential games of all time. But much like the rest of the industry, the developer’s output has dramatically slowed. The last major Rockstar game was Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018 (just forget about the disastrous Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy). Making a single AAA game on modern hardware requires so much time and manpower that it’s basically unsustainable. Granted, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online made so much money that Rockstar can comfortably do as it pleases. Still, there’s pressure on Grand Theft Auto VI to prove the team still has what it takes to be the industry leader in the AAA gaming space.
Grand Theft Auto VI is coming later in 2025. In the meantime, check out other exciting video games releasing in 2024.
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About Jordan Minor
Senior Analyst, Software
In 2013, I started my Ziff Davis career as an intern on PCMag’s Software team. Now, I’m an Analyst on the Apps and Gaming team, and I really just want to use my fancy Northwestern University journalism degree to write about video games. I host The Pop-Off, PCMag’s video game show. I was previously the Senior Editor for Geek.com. I’ve also written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I’m the author of a video game history book, Video Game of the Year, and the reason why everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.
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