Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature a new 'Criminal Profile' system designed to track the level of violence players employ during their criminal endeavors. This system builds upon the existing Wanted level from past Grand Theft Auto games and the Honor system introduced in Red Dead Redemption 2.
According to Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson, the Criminal Profile system will monitor how aggressively players commit crimes and attempt to evade law enforcement. While the traditional Wanted system will still be present, allowing players to escape police pursuit by changing vehicles, clothing, or simply eluding officers, the player's initial actions will feed into this new profile.
Nelson explained that the design supports the game's narrative of two characters on the run. If players opt to avoid escalating situations, such as refraining from shooting during a crime or escape, they will generally face fewer consequences. Conversely, players who choose to be more violent can escalate scenarios quickly. "We tried to design the game so that you have options," Nelson stated, emphasizing that while escalation is possible, players who wish to avoid it can do so.
This new system is not intended to enable players to make protagonists Lucia and Jason into "do-gooders," but rather to act as a tracker for their chosen level of maliciousness and violence. The developers aim to provide players with choices that influence their progression through the game.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on November 19. Rockstar Games reaffirmed this release window following recent gameplay leaks and the official gameplay reveal event.