Features From Past Grand Theft Auto Games We Hope to See in GTA 6

If you’re anything like me, the reveal of the latest trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has reignited an interest in the series that had long since been dormant. Sure, I played through Grand Theft Auto 5 on Xbox 360 back when it was new (which was somehow 12 years ago), but I never felt much pull toward GTA Online. In the wake of the latest GTA 6 announcements and cinematic trailer, though, I’m already finding myself going back through and replaying the series, starting with Grand Theft Auto III, my mind racing with the potential features we might see in the series’ sixth installment. There’s little doubt that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a game for the ages, but it wouldn’t feel “complete” without the following features that have shown up time and again throughout the series.

Assets and Property Management

As far back as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, players have been able to purchase property and use it as a source of steady passive income. That system was greatly expanded in San Andreas, only for it not to wind up in Grand Theft Auto IV. Grand Theft Auto V once again introduced the property management system, even going so far as to let players explore and interact with the homes they purchased. But if property management makes its way back into GTA 6, it should do more than just continue what’s been done before.

From what we’ve seen so far, Grand Theft Auto 6 takes place across vast swaths of the fictional state of Leonida, which includes the iconic Miami analog Vice City as well as fictional counterparts to the Florida Keys and Everglades. Players should have the ability to invest in different businesses and purchase property across all these locations to generate passive income, but there should also be some incentive to carefully pick and choose businesses that can act as a front for Jason and Lucia’s criminal enterprises. Legitimate businesses operating as a front for illicit activity plays a major role for some of GTA 6‘s side characters like Boobie Ike or Brian Heder, so Rockstar should let the main characters get in on that action.

Stats Management

While there’s something to be said for how Grand Theft Auto IV helped to refine the Grand Theft Auto formula for a new generation by stripping back several extraneous systems that didn’t add much to the gameplay loop, the return of many of these mechanics in Grand Theft Auto 5 ultimately proved that players enjoyed them. One of the more iconic mechanics introduced in San Andreas that returned in GTA 5 was character abilities and stat management, and there’s a case for the feature returning in GTA 6. The Grand Theft Auto series has always dabbled in RPG-style mechanics and progression, and having two unique playable protagonists seems to suggest that Rockstar might lean into differentiating them in some way, like it did with GTA 5‘s main characters. Stats are a perfect way to accomplish that.

Import/Export Side Missions

Having just played through Grand Theft Auto III for the first time in many years, one of the more fun side missions that stuck out was “Import/Export”. For those that don’t know (or don’t remember), “Import/Export” is the chain of missions spread out across two of GTA 3‘s islands in which players hunt down and deliver specific cars to a garage. Upon completion, players get a lot more than just money for their time investment, having a one-stop shop where they can regularly return to pick up a car of their choosing from the list. While they haven’t always gone by the “Import/Export” name, these kinds of missions have regularly shown up in the GTA series, and they deserve to make a comeback in GTA 6.

Considering the potential size of GTA 6‘s map and the wide variety of land, sea, and air vehicles that the game is prone to include, having a reason to explore and try out several of the available modes of transportation seems like a no-brainer. Plus, with the promise of plenty of side content and optional activities to partake in, GTA 6 would really benefit from allowing players to have a readily available stash of unlocked cars to use in getting wherever they needed to go.

First-Person Mode

The first-person mode in GTA 5 is a highly requested feature by fans that actually made it into the game as part of the next-gen update, and it presents a brand-new way to experience the thrill of playing Grand Theft Auto. Rather than wait for modders to take charge of delivering a first-person mode or develop and release it post-launch, GTA 6 should arrive on Day 1 with first-person views as an option for both combat and driving. The Grand Theft Auto series has only continued to attempt greater levels of player immersion throughout the years, and a first-person mode seems like a perfect way to achieve that. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go scuba diving in the Leonida Keys in first-person?

Vehicle and Character Customization Options

Vehicle customization has been such a major part of both GTA 5‘s story mode and GTA Online that it’s almost impossible to imagine GTA 6 not having it as a feature. Similar to property management, though, GTA 6 could stand to benefit from expanding the amount of customization options players have over previous games for both vehicles and the two main characters, Jason and Lucia. The car customization in GTA 5 was fairly robust, but there’s every reason for GTA 6 to improve that system and give players unprecedented levels of detail and control over how their favorite rides look.