Grand Theft Auto 6has become a breeding ground for speculation and rumors, as it’s drawing close to the first anniversary of the game’s announcement trailer. December 2023 finally madeGTA 6a reality, and its planned fall 2025 release date is inching nearer each day. Despite the release of its first and only cinematic trailer, Rockstar has yet to reveal any more information about the game.
The last game Rockstar released wasRed Dead Redemption 2back in 2018, and it is still hailed as one of the best stories in gaming. From the graphics to the narrative, the game still holds up for many, and with Rockstar being at the reins, many have wondered howRed Dead Redemption 2will influenceGTA 6. There are even theories thatRed Dead Redemption 2’s Guarma chapter wasa testing ground forGTA 6. Although its predecessor’s influence isn’t clear yet,GTA 6could find a fascinating way to bring protagonist Arthur Morgan’s journal mechanic into a modern setting.
Arthur Morgan’s Journal Could Inform a Major Part of GTA 6’s Gameplay
GTA 6’s Social Media Focus
TheGTAfranchise has been no stranger to satirizing modern day trends, and based on footage from the trailer,GTA 6isn’t holding back any time soon. A big focus of the trailer’s clips involve outrageous moments documented and posted to social media. WithVice City and the greater state of Leonidabeing inspired by Miami and Florida, the viral nature of crazy videos and head-scratching crimes is bound to be front and center. InRed Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan’s journal may be used as a way to document more serene and meaningful moments in the game via sketches, butGTA 6could flip this mechanic on its head by having players record moments through social media posts.
Bringing GTA’s Satire to Greater Heights
Instead of sketching an NPC or Blackwater, players inGTA 6could instead snap pictures or videos of Easter eggs or important locations and post them to an in-game social media app. However, it could be brought even further by bringing NPC interactions into the mix. Comment sections and likes could very well play a part in this mechanic, as each NPC could judge one’s post like in real life.GTA 6promises plenty of NPCs, and although their place in the story is unclear, they could play a larger role in how protagonists Lucia and Jason’s reputations grow in Vice City.
GTA 6is confirmed to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The story ofGTA 6remains a mystery, but early footage indicates that Lucia and Jason rise from the ranks of petty crime to a more extravagant lifestyle, and it would only make sense for social media to play a role in that ascent to notoriety as well. As the protagonists' reputations grow, so does their social media followings. Not only would this make sense forGTA 6’s social satire, but it would also add an extra layer ofimmersion in Vice City.
Bringing GTA 6’s World to Life
TheRed Dead Redemptionfranchise is known as Rockstar’s more thoughtful, emotional series, whileGTAis beloved for its over-the-top crass humor, making the two series fascinating contrasts. Despite the differences, the emphasis on a bold and lively open-world is at the forefront of both franchises, so it’s likely thatRed Dead Redemption 2will influenceGTA 6in a variety of surprising ways.
As fall 2025 creeps closer with each day, the next update from Rockstar will hopefully elaborate further on how social media will play into the story ofGTA 6. Such a feature could become overwhelming, while it could also make the world feel more alive if pulled off well. Regardless,GTA 6is set to be a massive launchin a year already filled with major releases.
