GTA VI preview: bigger map, real hurricanes, and an Uber clone
Grand Theft Auto VI now has a much clearer picture, thanks to a 14-page cover story and 12 new screenshots from Game Informer. Rockstar says its Florida-inspired state of Leonida is almost twice the size of San Andreas from GTA V, with far more packed into it. The game launches November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, so PC players are still waiting.
The map
Size is only half the story. Rockstar says the focus is density: Vice City's main streets, but also back alleys, service areas and plenty of interiors you can walk into without loading screens. Outside the city are swamps, beaches, industrial zones, abandoned tourist attractions and quad-bike trails. Leonida is a stand-in for Florida, and Vice City for modern Miami.
Weather is where the tech shows most. Wind changes direction with the time of day and the buildings around it, so you get sea breezes and turbulence near skyscrapers. Storms are local. A hurricane with lightning and heavy rain can hit one district while another stays sunny. Wind and rain physically move characters' hair and clothes, swamp plants and even rooftop litter.
The details
The wildlife list runs past 170 species, including alligators, flamingos and manatees, sorted into common, rare and legendary tiers. Full fishing, as in Red Dead Redemption 2, is back. Pedestrians vary in height, build, friendliness, vocabulary, skin texture and marks such as freckles or tan lines. Their clothes get dirty and wear out.
There's also RydeMe, the game's take on Uber. You call a car on your phone, then ride in the back seat, listening to the radio, scrolling social media or chatting with the driver.
The story follows Jason and Lucia. Rockstar says choices in key scenes change how the plot and their relationship play out, so the game is built for repeat playthroughs. Get arrested and the classic "BUSTED" screen still appears.
Price and platforms
In the UK, the Standard Edition costs £69.99 and the Ultimate Edition £89.99 on both consoles. Pre-orders are open at retailers including Amazon UK, Argos and Game, plus the PlayStation and Xbox stores. This story has no US pricing to confirm, so check your console's store.
Rockstar hasn't announced a PC version. GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 both reached PC well after their console launches, so a later port is plausible, but that's a guess. Online play is a separate wait: GTA VI multiplayer won't arrive until 2027, and GTA Online isn't going anywhere, and GTA Online stays for now. Game Informer's preview was announced days earlier, and Rockstar's $400 collector's box doesn't include the game itself.
