It’s been roughly seven years, five months, two weeks, and five days since the release of the beloved Grand Theft Auto 5. And though we loyal Rockstar fans have come to expect such comical gaps between entries, as the years go on one simply can’t help but to speculate on the future of GTA. And, as any exceedingly successful game would, it’s no wonder that GTA 6 is quickly becoming one of the most highly anticipated games of all time — all without even a teaser. Chalk it up to a botched release of Cyberpunk 2077, or simply after seven years, we’re due for a new title. Whatever the reason, like many of you, I can’t help but speculate on what’s to come.

The Character(s)

Though the trifecta of characters from GTA 5 were arguably a favorable feature, some believe that it was difficult to become overly fond of any one character. Gone was the feeling that the choices you made, and by association your character growth, truly felt like an extension of yourself. Rarely did I feel as though I became Michael, Trevor or TJ in that real sense. And though it did make for some very interesting story telling, I do miss connecting as I once did with Tommy Vercetti, Carl Johnson, or Arthur Morgan in RDR2.

Similarly, the GTA series has done a wonderful job at creating believable characters, which have unique motivations for the inevitably terrible things they do. However, one avenue that could have a lot of potential, that hasn’t been done quite yet, is playing as a dirty beat cop. Maybe one who has as little trouble with stopping crime, as he does taking part in it? And yea, you can already play as a cop in  L.A. Noir. However, the differences between GTA and L.A. Noir are considerable enough that I doubt they’d share any true resemblance in the telling of their stories.

Regardless of the story they tell, the GTA series need to bring back the character modifications from GTA San Andreas. Allow me to change my weight, and strength. Give me the option to tattoo up, or shave my head. Go one step further and create a skill system that reflects the characters physicality. Good luck trying to jump that fence after spending the night at Burger Shot. Outrunning the cops when I’m lean and fit? No problem.

The Decade   

Rockstar’s ability to create a vivid and fully imagined local in the past is without question. And though Grand Theft Auto 5 was a masterpiece, the world of GTA San Andreas and GTA Vice City are arguably the best titles in the franchise. It may be a hotly debated topic, but I’m of the opinion that GTA 6 would do well as a timepiece, reflecting a decade when things were more colorful, more adventurous, and conversely, surprisingly complicated. Imagine for a second, that the next GTA was set in ’60s. The epitome of muscle cars cruises the streets, while some of the best rock-n-roll ever made screams on the radio. Peace, love, and the hippies who proclaim it can be found on every corner, fighting for their beliefs in a city filled with tension resulting from the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement. And while gangs of all colors and styles control the streets, peddling drugs on a scale that would make the 90’s blush, America begins to see the results of the largest economic boom the world had ever seen.

If none of that remotely excites you, it’s fine. Not only are there other decades that Rockstar can draw inspiration from, but even a modern timeline could be fantastic if done well. I think you’d agree, however, that the one thing missing from GTA 5 was the style, flair, and chic those past decades possessed. Vice City, with its neon lights and shoulder-padded citizens, had so much color that it spilled over into every concept of the game. I want to relive that moment, as Tommy Vercetti first jumped into that Admiral, Flash FM in the background, about to explore the 80s in a way I never could.

The World

There’s so much to talk about here that it could easily be an article on its own. As the technology gets better, the opportunity to do some really interesting things becomes available. For instance, those who have played Battlefield 4, are familiar with a term coined by EA, called “Levelution”. It’s the concept that during the game, an event can occur which changes the landscape in a permanent and significant way, leading to all kinds of interesting scenarios and gameplay. Imagine in the next GTA title, while on a particular mission, a skyscraper comes crashing down to earth, or a dam breaks open. Instead of pretending as if it had few serious impacts on the game, as most games do, the ruined building lying across several city blocks is semi-permanent and is now accessible for future missions. Homes stretched for miles are now submerged under the waters once held back by the damn, as a new lake slowly builds across the map. Creating a fully immersive world, with real consequences and after-effects leads to a more involved game, and can lead to some interesting creative decisions.

Similarly, the world in GTA 6 needs to feel more real. GTA 5 was a beautiful game, don’t get me wrong, but it never felt like anything had any real consequences. The game only existed from the perspective of each character’s line of sight. In GTA 6, I would hope there is a more involved world, separate from the character. How interesting would it be if, as you were driving through the city, you stumbled upon a large crowd heading into a concert venue? Or maybe a hostage negotiation, with SWAT helicopters doing circles in the sky. These opportunities not only help to create a more fleshed-out world but also provide unique experiences for the players to interact with.

        With the power of the next-gen consoles and the new generation of GPUs, it’s possible for this future installment to become a celebration of the previous installments and locations they took place in. How special would GTA 6 be if, not only could you explore Vice City once again, but also Liberty City, Los Santos, Las Venturas, San Fierro, and even Ludendorff. It might be asking for a lot, but the cities are already technically formed, they would just need a massive graphical overhaul. The single best part of GTA San Andreas was the ability to drive or fly from city-to-city. The unsealing of San Fierro almost felt like an expansion, renewing that sense of wonder felt when you first loaded the game.

Along similar lines as before however, these cities must feel lived in. Add gyms, malls, barber shops, car dealerships, and parks, as well as the unique locations Rockstar is famous for, like Area 69.

But in the end…

In reality, the odds any of these imaginings will be included in the next title is slim at best. However, one of the best parts of the series for me has always been envisioning what the GTA universe will look like to come. Whatever happens, it’s obvious that Rockstar knows exactly what they’re doing. All that we can ask is they wrap it up soon because these 7 years have felt truly long — though who’s counting anyway?

Check out our previous article here!