ⓘ Rockstar Games

Shortly before the Extended Look on August 27, two videos have surfaced online allegedly showing GTA 6 gameplay that is at least a year old. While the authenticity of the leaks cannot be conclusively verified, that hasn't stopped fans from analyzing every detail. On Reddit, user u/Jimbrutan has compiled numerous observations. Comparisons with Red Dead Redemption 2 come up particularly often.

It should be noted that the footage has not yet been officially confirmed by Rockstar Games. Some have also suggested that the material could be AI-generated. All of the mechanics described below are therefore based entirely on observations and speculation from the community.

In the leaked footage, several HUD indicators appear above the mini-map when entering a vehicle. Among them is a gas can icon, which fans interpret as a possible indication of a fuel system. Another symbol resembling a check-engine light could represent the car's mechanical condition. This has led the community to speculate that Rockstar may have adapted Red Dead Redemption 2's horse care system for cars in GTA 6. Vehicles would then no longer be merely disposable means of transportation, but personal companions that need to be maintained and refueled.

Fans had actually speculated about a fuel system before. However, the prospect is not being met with universal enthusiasm in the community. Some users worry that regularly refueling or repairing vehicles could eventually become more annoying than immersive. u/gswkillinit, for example, wonders whether Rockstar might greatly simplify refueling so that the added realism does not slow down the flow of the game. Others joke that they will simply keep stealing the next available car whenever the tank runs dry.

In one of the leaked gameplay videos, Jason recklessly speeds down the highway and, unsurprisingly, attracts police attention. One detail stands out: Instead of the five stars used in more recent games, six wanted stars appear in the upper-right corner of the screen. The sixth star, last seen in GTA 4, could therefore make a return. Additional icons can also be seen beneath the wanted meter, potentially suggesting that the police can identify not only Jason himself, but also his clothing and vehicle. Losing the cops for good might therefore require changing both cars and clothes.

Fans also believe they have spotted police officers waiting by the roadside, speed traps and more realistic behavior from other road users. As for the driving physics, fans have noticed that cars seem to react more strongly to their own weight and the surface beneath them. “The driving feels more like GTA 4 than GTA 5,” writes u/No_Bill_2371.

Fans also claim to have spotted a karma or honor system similar to Red Dead Redemption 2, a stamina meter and separate pools of money in the leaked videos. The community assumes that Jason only carries part of his wealth with him, while the rest is kept at home or in a hideout. Successfully escaping the police could therefore become more important, as any cash carried on the character might potentially be lost.

One of the two videos also shows Jason playing basketball. Fans suspect this could be a side activity that allows players to improve certain character stats. Taken together, these details suggest that GTA 6 (available for pre-order on Amazon) could offer significantly deeper RPG elements than its predecessor.

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.