A legal dispute between Rockstar Games and 34 former employees has led to the exposure of several previously undisclosed details about Grand Theft Auto VI. The employees were dismissed in late 2025, with Rockstar stating the firings were linked to the sharing of confidential material in a private Discord group.
Information from court filings, along with related leaks, has since spread online. While Rockstar has not officially confirmed the details, the leaks offer a clearer picture of the game ahead of its planned November 19, 2026 release.
Story Structure Inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2
According to the leaks, GTA 6 uses a five-chapter story structure similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. Lucia is described as the central protagonist, with Jason playing a key supporting role.
The game reportedly opens with a flashback showing Lucia abandoning her baby before a failed bank robbery leads to her arrest. The main story begins years later, when she is released on probation and picked up by Jason, who has a background in the Army.
Early Gameplay and Narrative Progression
Early gameplay focuses on Lucia’s ankle monitor, which limits player movement and activities. This mechanic is said to be removed fairly early as the story escalates.
Leaked sources also claim that footage from the second official trailer only features content from Chapters 1 to 3, keeping later story moments hidden.
Dual Protagonist Gameplay System
Court documents reference a new dual protagonist control system. Players can switch between Solo Jason, Solo Lucia, or a dual-control mode during free roam and selected missions.
Both characters reportedly have special abilities inspired by the Dead Eye system. Jason can slow time and highlight weak points, while Lucia’s ability is more limited and focuses on precise shots.
Realism Systems and Player Choices
Several realism mechanics are said to return. A weight system similar to GTA: San Andreas affects character appearance and performance.
A relationship bar also plays a major role, functioning like the Honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2. It influences how Lucia and Jason interact and how the story ultimately ends.
The Map: Leonida Confirmed as an Island
The leaks confirm that the state of Leonida is a standalone island. Vice City serves as the main urban center, supported by three additional islands, including one inspired by the Bahamas.
The game reportedly features over 700 enterable shops, fully explorable shopping malls, and skyscrapers with working elevators. Smaller locations like Ambrosia and Port Gellhorn offer contrast to Vice City’s neon skyline, while a heavily secured “Fort” city acts as an endgame area.
Cut Features Revealed
Several planned features were reportedly cut during development. Voiced online protagonists were removed to allow more player customization.
A prone crawling mechanic seen in early development footage was also dropped. In addition, a planned random event referencing GTA 5’s Jay Norris was removed late in production.
Development Status Remains Unchanged
The leaks surfaced on the same day a boiler explosion temporarily closed Rockstar North’s Edinburgh office. Despite structural damage, no injuries were reported.
Sources say development remains on track due to Rockstar’s global production model, with major work handled by teams in India and Lincoln. As of now, Grand Theft Auto VI is still scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026.
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