Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) continues to reveal features that will make it one of the most detailed and vibrant open worlds Rockstar Games. The latest issue of Game Informer is dedicated to the highly anticipated game , revealing new information about the activities players will be able to do, the dynamic weather system, the animals and the level of detail of the characters.
GTA VI: Many activities beyond the main missions
One of the interesting aspects that was confirmed concerns the side activities, that is, the side activities that will offer players a different way to explore Leonida.
It seems that GTA 6 will not be limited to missions, chases, and activities directly related to the story. Players will be able to step away from the intensity of the action and engage in a number of more relaxed or alternative activities.
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Officially confirmed options include billiards, gyms, kayaking, mini golf and scuba diving. There will also be road and off-road racing, jet skiing, airboating and base jumping.
Of particular interest is the ability to visit zoos. This is an element that reinforces the feeling that Leonida is not just a huge map for players to traverse, but a world full of different points of interest.
Rockstar has hinted that these are just a few of the activities that will be available in the game, so it's likely that more options will be revealed as we get closer to launch.
A world that reacts to time
Equally important is the information about the dynamic weather system. Rockstar describes a significantly upgraded system, in which weather phenomena will not be just a visual effect that changes the atmosphere.
Wind , for example, will affect the environment in a more natural way. It can carry trash and swirl it across rooftops, create ripples on the surface of water, and move vegetation, especially in marshy areas .
At the same time, the presence of buildings will affect the movement of the wind, as gusts can be "cut" or change behavior when they encounter structures. The system also includes intense phenomena, such as storms, heavy rainfall, hurricanes, lightning and thunder.
Rain will also leave a more pronounced mark on the environment, with water running off roofs and other surfaces. Similarly, the sea will have its own dynamic behavior, reinforcing the sense of a world in constant motion.
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More than 170 species of animals
Wildlife is another important part of the experience. According to information provided by Rockstar, GTA VI will feature more than 170 species of animals.
This includes about 60 species of birds and 30 species of mammals, while the world will also be home to fish, reptiles and other species. Among the animals that have been confirmed are flamingos, pelicans and alligators, while the marine world will feature sharks, whales, rays, turtles and jellyfish.
This variety is especially important for an open world, as it gives different areas of Leonida their own identity. Wildlife spotting won't necessarily be part of the main story, but can serve as another way to explore.
NPCs with unprecedented detail
Rockstar also seems to have invested heavily in the people who inhabit the game's world. NPCs will feature an increased level of detail in both their appearance and behavior.
Characters will feature different body types, muscularity, and weight distribution, while the appearance system will include different skin types and details such as freckles, moles, and sun spots.
Even greater variety is expected in hair and body care, with different styles reflecting the diversity of the social and cultural groups that make up Leonida.
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The biggest Leonida in Rockstar history
All of this is made even more significant by the scale of the map. Leonida is described as the largest world Rockstar Games has created to date , at around twice the size of GTA V.
However, size isn't the only thing that stands out. The world is expected to be noticeably denser, more detailed, and more interactive, with more activities, characters, animals, and environmental changes.
The result is a world that aspires to function more as a living ecosystem than as a simple setting for missions. From a jet ski ride to a sudden storm or the sighting of an alligator in the swamps, Rockstar seems to invest in the feeling that something might be happening around the player even when they're not following the central story.
GTA VI is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with attention now turning to Rockstar's next revelations and the details that will remain under wraps until launch.
