GTA 6: Now with empathy and carjacking

Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson claims Grand Theft Auto 6 will introduce mechanics designed to encourage player empathy for the first time in the series' history. This change is tied to the story of protagonists Jason and Lucia, a young couple 'running out of options,' whose early criminal endeavors will involve stealing cheaper cars and picking easy locks. Bigger heists come later. Nelson was careful to clarify that crime remains a 'fundamental part of GTA' and players won't be penalized for sticking to the classic, chaotic GTA formula, though their actions will shape the narrative.

The game will feature a Criminal Profile system that tracks the violence of a player's crimes, rating them from Professional to Psycho, and a relationship system for Jason and Lucia that can grow or fall apart based on player choices. Rockstar's attempt to layer moral nuance onto a franchise built on satirical, over-the-top crime suggests a new narrative direction, even if the core gameplay loop of stealing cars and causing mayhem remains gloriously intact. The takeaway: you can now feel bad about that five-star police chase.