Edge magazine has published its 16-page Grand Theft Auto VI cover feature, revealing substantial new details about Rockstar Games’ upcoming open-world title. The exclusive interview confirms that GTA VI’s map is roughly twice the size of GTA V’s, introduces a Criminal Profile system that influences the story, and provides new information about vehicle mechanics, character relationships, police investigations and world simulation.
Published as part of Edge issue 430, which goes on sale October 29, 2026, the feature follows journalist Simon Parkin’s visit to Rockstar North’s Edinburgh headquarters. Parkin spoke with Rockstar North co-studio heads Rob Nelson and Aaron Garbut, alongside head of development Phil Hooker, and watched Nelson demonstrate approximately 90 minutes of gameplay on PlayStation 5.
The interview also includes exclusive screenshots showing Vice City, underwater environments, robberies, motorcycles, rural areas and other locations across Leonida.
Rockstar Confirms GTA VI’s Map Is Roughly Twice GTA V’s Size
One of the most significant disclosures concerns the game’s scale. Edge reports that GTA VI’s map is approximately twice as large as GTA V’s, while Rockstar says Leonida’s total landmass approaches the combined playable map areas of GTA IV, GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar is also placing greater emphasis on detailed interiors. Garbut describes a substantial increase in the number of explorable interiors compared with previous games, with locations designed to reflect the people who occupy them.
During the demonstration, Jason and Lucia’s apartment served as the starting point before Nelson explored the surrounding streets. The environments contain small interactions that emerge from overlapping systems rather than individually scripted sequences.
For example, Rockstar developed character reactions to unpleasant smells that can now activate across different locations. Garbut described discovering a house containing family photographs and evidence of a badly behaved dog, which caused the playable character to react to the environment.
Leonida’s pedestrian population has also received significant attention. Rockstar established a dedicated Los Angeles-based team responsible for developing the world’s inhabitants, with approximately 600,000 character animations created for the game.
NPCs possess behavioural traits that influence their reactions to the player’s actions, surroundings and previous encounters. During Edge’s demonstration, a pedestrian became confrontational after Jason stared at him, eventually releasing his dog to chase the player.
Criminal Profile System Will Influence GTA VI’s Story
GTA VI introduces a new Criminal Profile mechanic that tracks how Jason and Lucia conduct themselves. The system measures their behaviour across a spectrum ranging from Professional to Irredeemable.
Players can approach criminal encounters in different ways, including threatening opponents, incapacitating enemies or using lethal force. Rockstar confirms that these decisions will influence how the protagonists’ story develops.
The game’s relationship system also allows players to influence Jason and Lucia’s closeness. Their connection is tracked through a four-point scale, with activities such as cycling, visiting the gym, walking along the beach and spending time together affecting their relationship.
Although players can influence the couple’s intimacy and criminal behaviour, the main narrative maintains certain boundaries. Jason and Lucia remain partners in crime, and players cannot completely abandon that relationship or pursue an entirely different lifestyle.
These revelations expand upon Rockstar’s previously disclosed approach to Lucia's character and Leonida's world-building, adding specific gameplay systems that connect player behaviour with the narrative.
Police Investigations Track Clothing, Witnesses and Evidence
Edge’s demonstration provides further details about GTA VI’s police Heat system, which records information authorities gather during criminal activity.
Police can identify suspects through clothing, physical descriptions, weapons, CCTV footage and witness accounts. These details appear through interface icons indicating what investigators currently know about the player.
Escaping pursuit involves actively reducing the information available to authorities. Changing clothes, discarding weapons or separating from a partner can make the suspects harder to identify.
The system also distinguishes between visible weapons and concealed or less threatening behaviour. Carrying a shotgun openly may alarm pedestrians, while having it slung across the character’s back can produce a different reaction.
During one demonstration, police deployed a spike strip that punctured a stolen motorcycle’s front tyre, throwing Jason and Lucia from the vehicle. A police dog subsequently joined the pursuit.
The new interview builds on Rockstar's explanation of robberies and police Heat, showing how witness information, police equipment and environmental interactions combine during pursuits.
Vehicles Have Fuel, Engine Health and Security Systems
GTA VI introduces additional vehicle management mechanics, including fuel gauges and engine-health indicators.
Players can refuel vehicles, although Rockstar describes fuel consumption as relatively forgiving rather than something requiring constant attention.
Higher-end cars may feature tracking technology that reports their location to authorities. Vehicle owners can also react differently to theft attempts, with some fleeing and others potentially responding with weapons.
Rockstar has additionally introduced a vehicle delivery service accessible through an in-game smartphone application called Scooter Bros. Players can request a vehicle for a fee, after which a delivery worker arrives with the car and departs on a scooter.
Weapons are stored in vehicle boots, making the player’s chosen getaway vehicle an important part of preparing for criminal activities.
Another smartphone application, WAINK, identifies vehicles sought by criminal buyers. Listings provide information about specific models, including their security systems and tracking capabilities.
Players can steal these vehicles and deliver them to buyers, although their payment may depend on the condition of the car upon arrival.
The game also introduces pauses between certain story missions. Jason and Lucia may need to earn money through smaller criminal activities before accessing their next major job.
GTA VI Features Public Transport and a Longer Day-Night Cycle
Rockstar confirms that GTA VI includes functioning bus and train systems, allowing players to travel around Leonida without driving themselves.
Hooker described personally testing public transport routes to ensure buses arrive as expected and operate reliably throughout the world.
The game’s day-night cycle has also been extended substantially compared with GTA V. Nelson explained that Rockstar found the previous game’s faster passage of time unsuitable for the more detailed environments of GTA VI.
Roads and highways have also been redesigned with narrower proportions to create a more believable representation of real-world streets.
These changes accompany more detailed environmental simulation, including GTA VI's advanced weather systems, which account for wind, humidity, cloud movement and changing weather conditions.
Rockstar says storms can affect vehicle handling, including boats and aircraft, while pedestrians react to deteriorating weather.
Rockstar Discusses Development and Release Readiness
The interview also provides insight into Rockstar’s development process. Nelson explained that work on the setting began in 2015, when a small team visited Miami to research locations and Florida culture.
The studio initially concentrated on establishing the world before fully developing Jason and Lucia’s central storyline following the completion of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar continues to refine the game through development milestones lasting approximately six to eight weeks. Teams test individual systems, review the results and make further adjustments to maintain consistency across the open world.
The full Edge feature includes Rockstar’s observations about the game’s development, its approach to player freedom and the challenge of building an interconnected world.
Grand Theft Auto VI remains scheduled for November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has not announced a PC release date.
