Extended GTA VI Trailer Reveals New Gameplay Mechanics and Features
The 26-minute extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI shows character swapping, a sixth wanted level, a nuanced criminal profile system, updated combat, and a range of new and returning minigames.
Rockstar North released a 26-minute extended preview of Grand Theft Auto VI ahead of the game’s November 19 launch. The footage shows players alternating between the two protagonists, Jason and Lucia, during missions and chase sequences, while some missions appear to be limited to a single character.
A notable change is the return of a six-star wanted system, expanding the previous five-star limit seen in GTA V. The trailer also hints at a new Criminal Profile mechanic that tracks player behavior, with de-escalation options and actions such as feeding wildlife influencing reputation, according to co-studio head Rob Nelson.
Combat appears refined: players can switch between two firearms without using a weapon wheel, pick up weapons more quickly, and wield certain guns one-handed. A “Slim Jim” minigame for carjacking suggests more interactive vehicle theft, and higher-end cars may require key cloning.
The preview showcases a variety of side activities, including basketball, dirt-bike racing, scuba diving, kayaking, and a backyard wrestling minigame, as well as a fishing mechanic reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption 2. References to earlier Rockstar titles are scattered throughout, such as a bench-press challenge echoing GTA: San Andreas and a social-media livestream nod to GTA V’s Lifeinvader.
Additional visual cues indicate new HUD elements for health, wardrobe and vehicle condition, and a vitals-targeting system that highlights lethal and non-lethal hit zones. The trailer also features familiar cinematic touches, including slow-motion shooting and kill-cam effects from previous Rockstar games.