GTA 6 Shuns Open Carry Mechanics

The Grand Theft Auto series has always revolved around crime, and a big part of that involves wielding firearms. Historically, the games have let players carry around massive weapons without much consequence, as long as they weren’t actively using them.

That’s about to change. In GTA 6, the fictional state of Leonida is taking a stand against open carry, meaning that authorities will likely intervene when players flaunt machine guns in public.

This insight comes from an interview with Rob Nelson, co-studio head at Rockstar North. He compared GTA 5, known for its satirical take on modern life filled with eccentric characters and explosive action, to Red Dead Redemption 2, which was praised for its realism and emotional depth. Nelson stated that GTA 6 aims to find a balance between these two styles.

According to the interview, GTA 6 will feature “all the weapons and supercars you’d expect,” but it will also present a more “grounded and reactive world.” In GTA 5, players could roam the city with guns drawn, exuding confidence. However, in the new installment, walking down the street with a rifle will provoke a response from the environment.

This suggests that NPCs won’t just ignore a player casually strolling with an assault rifle. In previous games, bystanders and even police would remain unfazed unless shots were fired or weapons were aimed at them. But GTA 6 appears to introduce a more realistic dynamic, where civilians react to the mere presence of weapons, a concept hinted at in earlier leaks where people responded to someone carrying a knife.

Nelson mentioned, “We look back at our previous games with a critical eye and see where we want to evolve based on what we didn’t do as well as we would have liked to.” He emphasized that their development process is iterative, constantly adjusting based on what works and what doesn’t.

It remains uncertain whether players will face arrest for simply carrying a pistol or if the reaction will be more about chaos, with people yelling or fleeing. There are also questions about how this will affect player inventory: will players need to stash their guns in a backpack, or will they be unable to carry them at all? Regardless, it seems players will need to adapt their behavior while exploring the city, depending on whether they want to instill fear or just enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.