Grand Theft Auto is being set up as the biggest game launch of 2025. It has now been 11 years since the last game in the series was released, and the hype for GTA 6 has only grown more each year. Despite a series of notorious leaks that plagued the game's production, much of GTA 6 is still completely unknown. The only official footage of the game was revealed at the end of last year when Rockstar finally released an announcement trailer.
Since that trailer launch, there has been floods of speculation about GTA 6 and how much bigger it will be than its predecessors. The long-awaited return to Vice City and the greater state of Leonida promises plenty of immersive traversal and locations permeating the game's map. Rockstar has become well-known for its realistic worlds, and a simple feature from Red Dead Redemption 2 could elevate GTA 6's setting in a major way.
GTA 6 Would Be Smart to Take Note of a Great RDR2 Map Feature
Customizing the Immersion Level in RDR2
Traversal in RDR2 is incredibly realistic as it is presented, but there is one small bit of customization that makes all the difference. In RDR2, players are able to toggle the mini map on and off depending on their preference. For such a simple option, it makes a huge difference in how players approach in-game exploration. The western world of RDR2 is filled with content, bringing realism to the forefront. Traveling across the treacherous landscape isn't always easy, but removing the mini map brings an even greater challenge that GTA 6 would only benefit from.
An option that allows players to get rid of GTA 6's mini map would obviously help immersion, but it would also offer a more cinematic experience. Rockstar's impressive list of games always put cinematic moments front and center. It is probably safe to assume that GTA 6 will only double down on these movie-like scenarios and cutscenes. RDR2 did this beautifully, and the easy act of removing the mini map made the switch between gameplay and cutscenes feel a lot more organic. Based on the announcement trailer alone, GTA 6 may be one of Rockstar's most cinematic projects yet, so taking note of RDR2 feels like a no-brainer.
GTA 6 is scheduled to release in late 2025.
There are many dedicated fans eager to crack the code on when more GTA 6 news is scheduled to be announced. Since the reveal trailer offered Rockstar's traditional cinematic first look, the next trailer is likely to feature actual gameplay this time around. If that is the case, eagle-eyed gamers will be scanning to see how Rockstar has evolved their formula further.
RDR2 Paving the Way For GTA 6
It's been a long time since gamers were given a new Rockstar game. As game development becomes more intense and time-consuming, games have naturally taken longer to complete. Although the game still looks just as good today as it did at launch, RDR2 is six years old at this point. Despite its age, it has likely been used as a source of inspiration for how GTA 6 handles its gameplay. Rockstar is highly skilled at improving its own traditions, and GTA 6 is expected to continue this method. Although such high expectations are daunting to achieve, GTA 6 possibly taking note of RDR2 is at least promising.
The next glimpse of GTA 6 will hopefully be sometime in the near future, and there will likely be a preview of what to expect in-game. At this point, there is no telling what the mechanics of GTA 6 will be like, but it may be safe to assume there will be inspiration from the features that made RDR2 so satisfying.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- November 19, 2026
- ESRB
- Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.
Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.
- Engine
- Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE)
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
