Rockstar Games is set to overhaul one of the Grand Theft Auto series' most criticized features in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI: the sprinting mechanic. For years, players have had to either hold or repeatedly mash a face button to make their characters sprint. This method has been a long-standing point of frustration, often described as unintuitive and a relic of older game design. Grand Theft Auto VI will instead adopt a more contemporary standard, allowing players to sprint by clicking the left analog stick, a change noted by Italian YouTuber MikeShowSha.
This adjustment aligns with a trend seen in other long-running game series, such as Halo, which have evolved their control schemes to better match modern player expectations. While other series have sometimes offered the older control schemes as an option, Grand Theft Auto VI appears to be committing to the new system, potentially contributing to the 13-year gap between installments. The game is slated for release on November 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, and is anticipated to be a major cultural event.
Beyond the updated sprinting controls, Grand Theft Auto VI will feature a map that is reportedly three times larger than that of Red Dead Redemption 2. Players can also expect new systems, including a Criminal Profile system and a physical-fitness system, alongside novel gameplay elements like throwable dog poop.