Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature more perceptive non-player characters (NPCs) who will react to players openly carrying weapons, according to details revealed in a Grand Theft Auto 6 preview in The New York Times. Unlike in previous installments of the franchise, where players could walk the streets armed without drawing significant attention, the NPCs in Grand Theft Auto 6 will be more aware of their surroundings. This means that openly displaying firearms in public will have consequences, with NPCs expected to call the police.
The game will also see the return of the six-star Wanted level, as disclosed in a Netflix special previewing the game. This suggests that more severe repercussions may follow for actions involving weapons, potentially escalating beyond NPCs merely reporting a player's presence with a firearm.
Beyond the NPC reactions, the preview also highlighted other learned details about Grand Theft Auto 6. These include an expanded map size and an honor system similar to that seen in Red Dead Redemption 2, which will track player behavior. While initial reactions to the vocal performance of the male protagonist, Jason, have been mixed, the game has also garnered praise for its potential for complex character interactions, such as the relationship between protagonists Lucia and Jason, and the ability for players to interact with dogs.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19.