It’s nearly impossible to say whatGrand Theft Auto 6will look like. Although the series has some rather obvious narrative and mechanical throughlines, such as open-world design and satirical worldbuilding elements, Rockstar has a tendency to make major changes between releases, withGTA: San Andreasbeing fundamentally distinct fromGTA 4, andGTA 4being markedly different fromGTA 5, for instance.
But perhaps the greatest distinction between the likes ofGTA 4andGTA 5comes down to storytelling and presentation. A game likeGTA 4, or evenSan Andreasto a lesser extent, trends toward a more sober, grounded, character-driven sort of narrative which, while certainly not lacking in satirical and comedic elements, is generally more mature and intimate. By comparison,GTA 5is far more bombastic and absurd, its characters far less relatable and more emblematic of Rockstar’s critiques of American culture. WithGrand Theft Auto 6being the first entry in the series in well over a decade, it will be tasked with definingGTA’s tone moving forward, at least in the short-term.
GTA 6’s Narrative Style Is Still a Mystery
GTA 6 Could Be Mature and Grounded, But It’s Hard to Tell
At this point, all that fans have to go off regardingGTA 6’s story is its reveal trailer, which, while brief, touches on the relationship between the central characters Jason and Lucia. It would seem that Lucia has just been released from prison, perhaps not taking full accountability for her actions (suggested by her “just bad luck, I guess” comment to her parole officer). This is obviously speculation, but the way that Lucia is introduced in the trailer hints at a story about internal struggle and growth, with Lucia perhaps needing to come to terms with her past and make key decisions about her future.
Then, there are the theories that have beenfloated aboutGTA 6’s other protagonist, Jason: fans have speculated that Jason, who seems to have some sort of romantic relationship with Lucia, is an undercover police officer. This would be a major plot point, so this speculation should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, but if it’s proven to be true, then the story will likely focus on themes like betrayal, love, and loyalty, which are all notably weighty and mature. Even if Jason is not an undercover cop, a narrative built around a couple is bound to be more emotionally intimate than one about a group of friends or criminal compatriots.
While the man inGTA 6’s trailer is probably named Jason, this information comes from the 2022 leak of the game; his name could conceivably be changed in the release version.
Red Dead Redemptionis one of the most meticulously detailed, nuanced, and sophisticated stories told in the gaming medium. It’s Rockstar’s magnum opus when it comes to narrative design, and while it’s not down and dour all the time, it certainly isn’t what anyone would consider a comedy.GTA 6might continue this trend, presenting a more grounded and introspective tale, perhaps indicating Rockstar’s desire to lean into more complex and mature dramas rather than biting satirical comedies.
Conversely,GTA 6could buck the storytelling conventions ofRDR2, going all in on humor and absurdity as a contrast to the former’s bleaker and more emotionally poignant tone. Of course, these are two completely disconnected series, but it’s important to remember that they’re being made by the same developer, and while Rockstar’s guiding light has always been its strong creative vision, its games don’t exist in a vacuum;GTA 6will likely take some cues fromRDR2, though how this wins up informing its narrative is ultimately unclear.
Grand Theft Auto 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.
