Famitsu Reveals GTA 6 Gameplay Details: Garages, Pay & Spray, Weapons, Robberies & More

A new Japanese GTA 6 interview has revealed more gameplay details, including information on garages, weapon storage, Pay & Spray, stealth robberies, bank accounts, clothing, safe zones, police searches and much more.

Japanese publication Famitsu spoke extensively with Rockstar Games developer Rob Nelson after being shown GTA 6 gameplay, with the interview providing additional details on many of the systems previously discussed by IGN, alongside several new revelations.

GTA 6 Will Launch in November

Asked directly whether GTA 6 will actually release in November, Nelson reassured Famitsu that the game will launch as planned.

He explained that Rockstar is currently focused on polishing the game and ensuring it runs as smoothly and reliably as possible.

Jason and Lucia Are Trying to Escape Vice City

Famitsu's interview provides some additional context surrounding Jason and Lucia's situation during GTA 6's story.

According to Nelson, the pair need money after becoming involved in a job that was supposed to be simple but instead goes badly wrong, leaving them pursued by several people.

Jason and Lucia are attempting to blend into Vice City and remain hidden while discussing ways to raise enough money to escape their situation, potentially even leaving the city entirely.

Nelson also reiterated that player decisions will play a major role in determining what ultimately happens to the pair.

Rockstar Considered Four GTA 6 Protagonists

Interestingly, Rockstar considered increasing the number of playable protagonists following GTA V.

After introducing three protagonists in GTA V, the studio discussed the possibility of GTA 6 featuring four. However, Rockstar ultimately felt that increasing the number would reduce the amount of time players spend with each character and make it more difficult to form an emotional connection with them.

The strong response to Arthur Morgan as the sole main protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2 also appears to have influenced Rockstar's thinking.

Jason and Lucia Can Kiss and Hold Hands

The relationship between Jason and Lucia can develop differently depending on the player's actions.

Players can choose to develop their relationship romantically or effectively remain partners in crime without being a couple.

• Jason and Lucia's relationship has its own status that can be viewed by the player.
• The strength of their relationship affects the interactions available between them.
• A stronger romantic relationship allows interactions such as holding hands and kissing.
• If their relationship deteriorates, some romantic interactions become unavailable.
• The relationship can be repaired by putting effort into rebuilding it.
• Players who aren't interested in the romantic side can progress through the story with Jason and Lucia simply acting as partners.

You Can't Leave Coffee Cups on the Floor

Rockstar has paid an unusual amount of attention to everyday interactions inside GTA 6's safehouses.

One example demonstrated to Famitsu involved Jason drinking his morning coffee. Rather than simply dropping the mug anywhere afterwards, the player must place it somewhere appropriate.

The game won't allow a mug to simply be placed on the floor because Rockstar wants the shared living spaces to feel believable.

Jason and Lucia can also sleep together in the same bed, complete with detailed animations showing characters moving the bed covers before getting in.

Jason and Lucia Follow Their Own Daily Schedules

When not being controlled, Jason and Lucia continue going about their own lives.

Both characters have things to do around their safehouse and follow their own schedules. Players can switch to the other protagonist or arrange for the pair to meet up.

Character Switching Can Be Restricted During Missions

Character switching generally works similarly to GTA V, but Rockstar can restrict it when the story requires the player to experience an event from a specific perspective.

Nelson gave the example of an early mission set inside a high-rise housing complex. Rockstar originally allowed players to freely switch characters during the mission, but later decided Jason should remain playable because his former military background made him the more natural character to lead the pair through the situation.

Other missions can automatically switch protagonists. One example begins with Jason shooting at pursuing police vehicles from a car driven by Lucia, before control switches to Lucia while Jason and Raul fire from the vehicle.

Store Robberies Can Be Done Alone or Together

The convenience store robbery shown during the gameplay demonstration is not simply a fixed story mission.

Players can rob stores alone or invite the other protagonist to come along.

GTA 6 Starts in the Leonida Keys

Nelson confirmed that GTA 6's story begins in the Leonida Keys.

Jason's first home, previously shown in trailers, is located there.

The map initially conceals unexplored areas in a similar way to GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. As players explore new parts of Leonida, those areas are gradually revealed on the map.

Safehouses Change as the Story Progresses

GTA 6's story progresses through chapters, with Jason and Lucia moving between different safehouses as the narrative develops.

Rockstar compares the system more closely to Red Dead Redemption 2's camps than the traditional safehouses of previous GTA games.

Characters living at these locations have their own daily schedules, helping them feel like actual places where people live rather than simply locations used to save the game.

Rockstar Originally Tested Grocery Shopping

Rockstar experimented with an even deeper food system during development.

At one stage, players could purchase groceries from stores, return home and use them to replenish the contents of their refrigerator.

The system was ultimately simplified because Rockstar felt it had become too complicated, with the studio attempting to balance realism against convenience.

GTA 6 Tracks Multiple Fitness Stats

The previously confirmed weight and muscle systems are more detailed than initially revealed.

GTA 6 tracks several physical statistics, including:

• Health
• Cardio
• Fitness
• Stamina
• Strength

Characters can become muscular through exercise or gain weight by eating too much.

Gym Workouts Are Interactive Minigames

Going to the gym involves more than simply triggering an animation.

Rockstar has created interactive workout minigames that require players to manage their stamina and exercise at the correct pace.

Moving too quickly during a workout places additional strain on the character, while players must complete their set before running out of stamina.

Nelson described a routine consisting of three exercises followed by rest. Repeating the training over three days can improve the protagonist's health and strength.

Most equipment found inside the gym can reportedly be used, including equipment for exercises such as pull-ups.

Players can also finish their workout with protein shakes and protein bars.

Food and Drinks Provide Buffs

Different food and drink items provide gameplay benefits.

Food can temporarily boost character gauges, while energy drinks can provide a boost to stamina. Training, meanwhile, permanently increases the underlying base values of attributes such as health and stamina.

GTA 6 Has a Bank Account System

Players don't simply carry all of their money around as cash.

GTA 6 features a bank account alongside physical cash carried by the protagonist.

Cash comes with significantly greater risk: being Wasted or Busted can result in money being lost, while being killed by police or civilians after causing trouble can reportedly result in all carried cash being lost.

Players are therefore encouraged to deposit money somewhere safe rather than carrying large amounts around Leonida.

Criminal Profile Doesn't Reward Being a "Good" Player

Rockstar has provided considerably more detail on GTA 6's new Criminal Profile system.

Unlike Red Dead Redemption 2's Honor system, GTA 6 isn't designed around simply categorising the player as good or evil.

Instead, the game evaluates what kind of criminal the player has become.

The system can distinguish between a more professional criminal and someone who behaves in a highly violent and dangerous manner.

The world then responds accordingly. Players who behave aggressively may encounter increasingly aggressive responses from the people around them.

Rockstar doesn't want players to feel forced into behaving well simply because they're worried about missing content, and Nelson stressed that there is no single "correct" way to play GTA 6.

The World Is More Dangerous

Unlike previous GTA games, Jason and Lucia aren't necessarily the most dangerous people walking down the street.

NPCs throughout Leonida may be armed and can fight back when threatened.

During a carjacking, for example, players can simply order the driver to leave the vehicle rather than immediately attacking them. Some people may comply, while others can refuse or even pull out a weapon and start shooting.

The player can then choose whether to return fire or abandon the attempted robbery.

Some Locations Are Safe Zones

GTA 6 includes protected areas where certain crimes cannot be committed.

Nelson used Dre'Quan's nightclub as an example. Because Jason is visiting a friend's business, players cannot simply steal vehicles parked directly outside it.

Some safehouses and story-related locations similarly operate as safe zones.

Pay & Spray Returns With a Much Bigger Role

Famitsu's interview confirms the return of Pay & Spray, which now has several different uses.

• Players can check how much a stolen vehicle is worth.
• Vehicles can be repaired.
• Cars can be repainted to help escape police attention.
• Stolen vehicles can be registered as personal vehicles.
• More elaborate paintwork requires a dedicated tuning shop.

After selling a vehicle at a particular Pay & Spray, players must wait before selling another vehicle at the same location. Those wanting to immediately sell another car will need to find a different Pay & Spray elsewhere on the map.

You Can Buy Garages Across Leonida

Players initially have storage space for only three personal vehicles.

Additional garages can be purchased around the map to increase the number of vehicles the player can own.

Vehicle management is compared to Red Dead Redemption 2's horse system. If all available spaces are occupied, players may need to sell an existing vehicle before registering another.

Stolen Cars Can Temporarily Remain Yours

A stolen vehicle doesn't immediately become a personal vehicle.

Stolen cars are represented by a grey icon on the radar and can remain available for a period of time, similar to temporary horses in Red Dead Redemption 2.

However, because the vehicle hasn't been registered as the player's property, it will eventually disappear — including after restarting the game.

Vehicle Trackers Can Eventually Be Removed

High-end vehicles may contain sophisticated tracking systems that can reveal their location to police.

As players progress, vehicle fences become capable of removing these trackers, making more valuable stolen cars easier to sell.

This forms part of GTA 6's progression system, with players gradually gaining access to the equipment and contacts required to steal increasingly valuable vehicles.

Police Call the Search State "Heat"

When police receive information about a suspect without knowing their exact location, GTA 6 enters a state referred to as Heat.

Police can search using information including:

• The suspect's physical appearance
• Their clothing
• The vehicle they're driving
• Weapons they were seen carrying

Players can gradually remove pieces of identifying information. Abandoning a known vehicle removes that vehicle from the description, while changing clothes, changing appearance or disposing of a weapon can further reduce the information available to police.

Police search within a designated Heat Area. Escaping the area can end the active search, although returning to a vehicle already identified by police can put the player at risk again.

You Can Discard Weapons to Reduce Police Attention

If police know which weapon was used during a crime, players can discard it to remove another piece of identifying information.

Importantly, this doesn't necessarily mean permanently losing the weapon.

Weapons Are Stored at Ammu-Nation

Owned weapons are automatically available through storage at Ammu-Nation or the player's personal vehicles.

This means players can discard a weapon during an escape without permanently losing access to it.

Every Ammu-Nation features a weapon locker where owned guns can be retrieved.

Any Vehicle Trunk Can Store Weapons

Weapon storage isn't restricted to personal vehicles.

Players can place guns inside the trunk of virtually any vehicle, including stolen cars, and retrieve them for as long as the vehicle remains available.

You Can No Longer Hide Large Weapons

For the first time in GTA, large weapons don't simply disappear into the protagonist's inventory.

Rifles and other long guns need to be physically managed using vehicle trunks or Ammu-Nation weapon lockers.

Rockstar admitted this was a major design decision because magically producing assault rifles and rocket launchers has traditionally been part of GTA's sandbox gameplay.

However, the studio ultimately decided that requiring players to think about which weapons they carry creates more interesting decisions and better suits the story of two fugitives attempting to remain hidden.

NPCs React to Visible Weapons

Walking around with a gun in your hands can make civilians uncomfortable, causing them to move away or react aggressively.

Simply carrying a long gun doesn't necessarily create panic, but openly holding a weapon makes people significantly more suspicious.

Police may also take an interest in someone openly walking around the city carrying a firearm.

Ammu-Nation Stores Have Exclusive Weapons

Individual Ammu-Nation stores can stock unique weapons that aren't available everywhere.

Rockstar also says GTA 6 offers more extensive weapon customisation than previous games.

GTA 6 Introduces Suppression Fire

A new combat mechanic allows players to deliberately fire near an enemy rather than directly shooting them.

Rockstar refers to this as suppression fire.

Shooting around police officers or civilians can frighten and disorient them, potentially giving Jason or Lucia enough time to escape without killing anyone.

The mechanic is designed to provide alternatives to simply killing everyone standing between the player and their escape.

Robberies Can Be Completed Without Anyone Knowing

Store robberies support considerably more stealth than previous GTA games.

One example shown to Famitsu involved approaching a shop through its rear entrance.

Kicking the door down would trigger the alarm, but players can instead use a special lock-picking tool referred to as a Snap Gun to quietly gain access.

Once inside, surveillance cameras can be destroyed and security systems disabled.

If everything is done correctly, players can steal cash from the register and leave without anyone realising a robbery has taken place.

Gang Hideouts Can Be Robbed

The map can reveal gang-controlled locations containing valuable items.

Players can investigate hideouts and see information about how much cash or drugs may be stored there.

They can then infiltrate the location and steal the valuables.

Stolen drugs can subsequently be sold to fences.

Jewellery Stores and Small Banks Can Be Robbed

Alongside convenience stores, players can rob more valuable targets including jewellery stores and smaller banks.

These robberies can be completed either alone or with Jason and Lucia working together.

Higher-value targets have stronger security and require more preparation, while police responses become increasingly difficult.

You Can Let Your Partner Deliver the Loot

Jason and Lucia don't necessarily need to remain together after completing a robbery.

Players can send the other protagonist to deliver stolen goods to the person who commissioned the robbery.

Alternatively, one character can drive while the player-controlled protagonist sits in the passenger seat and uses their phone.

You Can Set Destinations Without Opening the Map

A quick-navigation feature allows players to set a destination by holding a button rather than opening the full map.

Rockstar says this is intended to keep gameplay flowing without requiring players to constantly interrupt the action.

GTA 6 Has Real Traffic Jams

Traffic congestion is significantly more noticeable than in previous GTA games.

Roads have been designed closer to real-world widths while the amount of traffic has increased, making navigating busy areas more challenging.

This becomes particularly important when delivering stolen vehicles, as damaging the car reduces its resale value.

Almost All Gym Equipment Can Be Used

Rockstar says players can interact with most of the exercise equipment found inside GTA 6's gyms, rather than the environment simply serving as decoration.

Exercises such as pull-ups are among those specifically confirmed.

Peacocks Are Part of GTA 6's Wildlife

During Famitsu's demonstration, the group unexpectedly encountered a peacock - apparently surprising even Nelson, who said it was the first time he had personally seen one while playing.

The encounter demonstrates the unpredictable nature of GTA 6's wildlife and open-world systems.

Main Missions Alone Won't Provide Enough Money

Rockstar has further explained how GTA 6 integrates its story with the open world.

According to Nelson, simply completing story missions won't necessarily provide enough money to continue progressing.

Players need to earn additional money through activities in the open world, meaning robberies, vehicle theft and other criminal activities aren't entirely disconnected side content.

Rockstar describes this as a significant evolution from previous GTA games and Red Dead Redemption 2, effectively merging open-world activities with story progression.

The Phone Has Several Confirmed Apps

GTA 6's smartphone contains numerous applications beyond social media.

Famitsu specifically confirms:

• Social media
• Video apps
• Fitness apps
• Banking apps
• Scooter Bros, an app used to have your personal vehicle delivered

Jason and Lucia can also send photographs directly to each other, despite being unable to publicly upload them to social media because they're fugitives.

Livestreams Can Lead to Random Events

Social media and livestreaming aren't simply background decoration.

Livestreams can be connected to characters and random events found throughout Leonida.

One example involved an unusual man encountered inside a dumpster during the gameplay presentation. Random characters encountered around the world may be livestreaming, with their broadcasts appearing through the game's social media systems.

PS5 Haptic Feedback Changes Across Activities

The PlayStation 5 version makes extensive use of haptic feedback.

Feedback has been individually adjusted for different minigames and vehicles, while the adaptive triggers are also used during driving.

Vehicle acceleration can be controlled through trigger pressure, with pulling the trigger further providing additional acceleration.

GTA 6 Will Contain References to Previous Games

Asked about Easter eggs and connections to earlier GTA titles, Nelson stopped short of providing specifics but suggested players should expect references.

While GTA 6 exists in a different continuity to games such as the original GTA: Vice City, Rockstar still enjoys finding ways to acknowledge its history.

GTA 6 Has Thousands of Outfits

GTA 6 features thousands of clothing options, according to Nelson.

Clothing can be unlocked through missions or purchased from stores, with Rockstar promising more character customisation options than ever before.

The world also contains a huge number of clothing stores and hair salons.

Hair can be cut at safehouses, but the available styles are limited. Players need to visit salons to access the game's wider selection of hairstyles.

Rockstar Says GTA 6 Is Far More Complex Than Previous Games

Rockstar says GTA 6 exceeds its previous games not only in the scale of its world, but in how deeply players can interact with it.

Nelson described the number of locations, interactions and interconnected gameplay systems as significantly more complex than Rockstar's previous titles.

However, players aren't required to engage deeply with every system. Those who simply want to cause chaos and experience GTA as a traditional sandbox can still do so.

The difference is that GTA 6's world will now react much more meaningfully to those choices.

You can view the original article (in Japanese) at Famitsu.