Rockstar has confirmed GTA 6 features something the franchise has never had before: mechanisms that encourage empathy.
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson and head of publishing Jennifer Kolbe talked about how next week’s Grand Theft Auto changes the formula the series is known for during an interview with The Guardian (via @GameRoll_). Jason and Lucia will surely be able to cause a fair amount of chaos when players take control in Vice City, but in a post-Red Dead Redemption 2 world, they’ll have the freedom to be kind, too.
“Crime is a fundamental part of GTA – at least up until now, it has been,” Nelson said. “We’re trying to make sure we’re not punishing people for playing the game they are used to … [but] your actions will have some effect on how the game plays out.”
Games like GTA 5 have given players playgrounds and characters that can maximize the mayhem. Trevor, one of that game’s three protagonists, is a great example of this chaotic energy, but in GTA 6, there doesn’t seem to be a direct equivalent. Sure, Rockstar’s trademark tone and instantly recognizable characters can be seen all over what few trailers we’ve received thus far, but everything seems a bit more grounded, too.
Falling in line with this is the news that GTA 6 will feature a world that might actually reward those who take the citizens of Leonida into consideration. Of course, that doesn’t mean those who prefer to wreak havoc won’t be able to play their way, too. It just means that, at least based on Nelson’s words, there’s some room to be a normal or even good person, too.
“I would say so,” he replied when asked if the new game would encourage empathy in some capacity. “I would say that it’s a product of the story we’re trying to tell. We’ve tried for the first time in a GTA to provide mechanisms that encourage it, for those who want to.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Nelson described Jason and Lucia as a “younger couple with their backs against the wall,” which is why it doesn’t make sense for them to “go out and cause as much carnage and make as much noise as they can.” This isn’t Michael, Franklin, or Trevor, nor is it Niko Bellic. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out just what kind of criminals Jason and Lucia are, or who they can be.
GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X | S. With more grounded in-game mechanisms and NPCs that react to weapons, it’s clear we’re staring down what will likely be the most realistic Grand Theft Auto game so far. It’s something that has plenty of fans excited and others nervous. Recent footage shared by Rockstar has highlighted the game’s unbelievable graphics. It’s something that has IGN writer Jacqueline Thomas excited, even if it does run at 30 fps.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).