My Hopes and Dreams for Grand Theft Auto 6
This trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 dropped a few days ago and while most of the internet is overjoyed with excitement, I remain skeptical.
The Concerns
Nothing in this trailer really gave me concerns; it’s more Rockstar’s behavior that worries me.
Long gone are the days when they were focused on the single-player experience. The 3D era was probably the high point of the series for me. They used the same engine and just gave us new worlds and stories, yet the games were some of the most enjoyable.
GTA IV and V took the games to new heights, but we did have longer breaks between each release, and the latter saw a new focus on online aspects of the game. During the 10 years since GTA V was released, Dan Houser, Leslie Benzies, and Lazlow Jones, who were major parts of the studio, have all left.
My main concern is that, although GTA 6 looks amazing from the trailer, online will be the main focus, and the single-player will suffer. The more we see in gameplay previews and trailers, the better idea we can get of what the game will be like. I just really hope this is still primarily a single-player game.
Now onto the more positive parts.
Their Most Alive Open World Yet
For this, some leaks give us a big reason why this could bring the open world to a new level.
Some leaks have suggested that Rockstar will use AI to improve NPC interactions and even give them daily routines, which I’m really excited about. I play simulation games like Cities: Skylines II, which give each citizen a routine and home, etc. So, thinking of this in a GTA game is very exciting.
This could also improve traffic movement, and when you’re playing as one protagonist, the other will be actively moving around the map, going about their own business. Obviously, none of this is confirmed, but if true, it could make exploring the streets of Vice City much more enjoyable, seeing all different interactions happening.
If AI could also drive real-time events, it would add a new level of realism, like gang wars breaking out randomly, car crashes, NPC fights, police and criminal showdowns, plus more. I do think, though, if this is a feature, the game will likely need to be always online to help assist with the AI processing, but I may be wrong.
A Long Engaging Story
Engaging stories in games have always been a major aspect of my gaming experience. I tend to gravitate towards titles that offer longer and immersive storylines, such as games like The Witcher 3, Ghost of Tsushima, and Red Dead Redemption 2. The great storytelling and character development in Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, had me addicted to it. I spent over 100 hours and got so caught up in the story of Arthur Morgan.
While Grand Theft Auto V did present a great story, I found myself wanting more, especially since we never got that single-player DLC. Despite how good it was at the time, the story in GTA V could have been longer and seen us visit other parts of San Andreas.
In essence, I appreciate the ability of a game to weave a captivating and multifaceted story, allowing me to delve deeper into the virtual world and forge meaningful connections with the characters and plot. The prospect of an extended and enriched narrative in GTA 6 excites me, as I believe it has the potential to deliver a gaming experience that aligns more closely with my preference for long and engrossing stories.
More Realism Like Read Dead Redemption II
This is something that has also been rumored, and I do hope it’s true. I loved how in RDR2, you could only carry a certain amount of weapons on you, and they’d be visible.
Imagine walking down the streets of Vice City with an assault rifle visible, and people being either scared of you or wanting to challenge you. Or people not even noticing if you have a pistol under your shirt while walking around and exploring.
It may have been coincidental, but I’m hoping that the fact Lucia and Jason were wearing bandanas on their faces during the robbery means that if we do wear one, it can help hide our identity. Once the robbery is over, we could remove our mask and change our clothes in the car so if law enforcement see us, they won’t realize that we’re the suspect.
It’s not something we’ve really seen before, but if we have low health and have been shot in a certain area like the leg or arm, I’d love to see the protagonist limp or struggle to lift their arm. It’s all these small details that count, and Rockstar is usually great in that regard.
The Long Wait
Now it’s just a matter of time until the next trailer which based on previous games will be a long, painful wait.
