Following Grand Theft Auto 6’s over-the-top Netflix gameplay reveal, Rockstar Games detailed one of the game’s most important systems. Building on the traditional Wanted system from previous Grand Theft Auto titles and the Honor system from Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 6 introduces a Criminal Profile system that tracks how violently players handle their crime sprees.
The interview confirmed that the traditional Wanted system does return when you’re spotted committing a crime in GTA 6. To shake off the police chasing you, Jason and Lucia may need to change vehicles and clothing, or run away and elude the police in different directions. How violent you are while committing that initial crime and escaping influences the dynamic Criminal Profile system.
“This is a story about a couple on the run. We have tried to make the systems and the design support our narrative when and wherever possible,” Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson told IGN. “Meaning, if you hit and run, commit a crime and run, get into trouble and move on before the cops get there, and you don’t start shooting people, don’t start escalating – which you absolutely can do if you want to – but if you don’t, you’re generally going to be fine.”
In the same interview, it’s stressed that this system isn’t meant to let players make Lucia and Jason do-gooders. It’s more of a tracker of how violent and maliciously players choose to commit crimes in GTA 6. Nelson says “We tried to design the game so that you have options,” and that “things can escalate quite quickly if you want them to, or people who don’t want to escalate can try to avoid it.”
If you enjoy role-playing as a criminal in Red Dead Redemption 2 or any of GTA Online’s NoPixel servers, this Criminal Profile system seems made for you. Grand Theft Auto 6 is still set to launch for PS5 and Xbox Series X on November 19, something reaffirmed by Rockstar in this gameplay reveal and its response to recent gameplay leaks.
