Grand Theft Auto 6's main story is expected to take players around 80 hours to complete, according to a statement from Rockstar North's co-studio head, Rob Nelson. This estimation comes from Nelson's own playthrough, during which he largely adhered to the main questline and included some optional objectives with narrative impact. The revelation suggests a significant investment of time for players diving into Rockstar's next open-world title.
Nelson's playtime also offers a glimpse into the game's depth, which borders on a life simulation. The developers have incorporated activities such as eating, drinking, and maintaining physical activity through gym workouts or sports like tennis. Players can also engage in pastimes like playing pool, kayaking, riding dirt bikes, or skydiving. The immersive nature extends to the in-game world, with Nelson highlighting the ability to observe distant vehicles from high vantage points and then parachute down to them.
This extensive playtime is situated within a game world that is reportedly three times larger than the map featured in Red Dead Redemption 2. For context, Red Dead Redemption 2 itself can take approximately 60 hours to beat when focusing primarily on its main story. The sheer scale of GTA 6, combined with its detailed mechanics and interactive elements, points to Rockstar's ambition of creating a game that remains relevant and engaging for an extended period, potentially for over a decade.
The preview also touches upon Rockstar's aim to facilitate deep role-playing experiences, with Nelson stating that the game includes enough elements to allow for such engagement, even if not every real-life interaction is replicated. The developers envision GTA 6 as a long-term cultural touchstone, mirroring the expansive design philosophies seen in their previous titles.