GTA 6’s User Interface Sparks Debate Among Fans: Is It Too Basic?

Yesterday, gamers got their first official glimpse of Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay through a nearly 30-minute trailer. While the overall reception to the gameplay reveal was largely positive, the user interface has sparked a heated discussion among fans. Some players are critical of its design, while others appreciate its simplicity, and a few are hopeful for changes before the game launches.

Following the gameplay reveal on Netflix and later on YouTube, fans have been dissecting every frame for insights. One particular aspect that has ignited debate is the UI, especially the weapon and item wheel interfaces, which showcase colorful icons for guns, melee weapons, healing items, and clothing. Social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit are buzzing with screenshots of the UI, accompanied by various negative reactions and disappointed comments.

“I’m not a fan of the HUD so far. The minimap looks decent, but the weapon wheel doesn’t do it for me,” tweeted a content creator. “They really need to rethink this.”

“Hot Take: GTA 6 needs to improve this simplistic UI,” another user chimed in. “It feels bland and underdeveloped. The rest of the game looks amazing, though.”

“Honestly, the UI is my biggest concern,” said another player. “I won’t criticize the GPS too much since it might be customizable, but the rest of the HUD is just okay. It’s functional, but it lacks personality.”

A Reddit post simply stating “UI needs some work” has garnered over 500 upvotes, with many commenters agreeing that the UI feels too minimalist and uninspired.

“I think I’ll get used to most of it,” one Redditor responded. “But I really dislike the health and focus bars. The minimalist design seems to drain the life out of them. The circular weapon wheel made of rectangles is also a bit strange, but overall, it looks nice.”

“Yes,” another user added. “It’s the only part of the trailer that didn’t impress me. Maybe they still have time to refine the UI. It’s not terrible, just a bit basic.”

On a popular subreddit, a post highlighting that many fans defended the simple UI as “unfinished” has received over 3,000 upvotes, with commenters joking about how a high-budget game like GTA 6 could launch with such a plain interface.

Another trending post shows a fan-modified version of the GTA 6 UI with rounded corners. While it doesn’t resolve all the concerns, many agree it enhances the overall look.

Of course, there are fans who support the minimalistic UI and vibrant icons, suggesting that Rockstar aims to keep things straightforward so players can focus on the gameplay. Some argue that, aside from Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar has consistently opted for sleek, simple interfaces.

“I don’t need a visually stunning HUD; I want to stay focused on the game,” one fan tweeted in response to the criticism.

“I like it; it maintains the game-y feel of GTA,” another Reddit user commented. Someone replied, “I agree! It looks modern and fits the Vice City vibe.” Another fan added, “I think it looks fantastic and appreciate the simplicity.”

“I think the little icons have a charming indie vibe, and I mean that positively,” suggested another Redditor. “The developers know what they’re aiming for, and I’m all for it.”

“It looks good to me. I don’t understand why people are upset; it’s just a normal minimalistic UI with nice object art,” another fan remarked.

Many are speculating that the UI might undergo significant changes before release. However, history suggests otherwise. When Rockstar reveals UI elements in gameplay trailers, they often remain unchanged. A prime example is the weapon wheel from the first Grand Theft Auto V gameplay trailer, which saw minimal alterations by the time of its release.

So, while it’s technically possible for Rockstar to make substantial changes to the weapon wheel icons and layout, it’s likely that this is the UI we’ll see in GTA 6 come November. For some fans, that’s acceptable as long as Rockstar doesn’t delay the game again, making them wait even longer to dive in.

“Don’t let them delay it, man,” one user posted on Twitter.