However, with a few years left in store while waiting for the much-awaited GTA sequel, fans do want some gameplay elements tweaked and changed to capitalize on the experience. Considering the graphical prowess and gameplay elements in recent GTAreleases, just what kind of gameplay should GTA 6 have for players to maximize their enjoyment?
8 Job System
While a game like GTA 6 would almost certainly just allow players to become a criminal and grow their way into a crime boss, it would perhaps broaden the game’s interactive nature for it to feature some sort of job system. Similar to RPGs, this would mean giving players opportunities to play the role of other criminal-esque figures such as hitmen, bodyguards, and even crooked cops.
However, unlike RPGs, GTA 6 could simplify this feature with a basic “trait” that makes these jobs more unique. For instance, having a job can give players access to exclusive weapons, vehicles, and friendlier dispositions towards certain NPCs. Likewise, these jobs could give players access to specific mini-games and quests.
7 Respect System
One of the most innovative features in both Grand Theft Auto 2 and San Andreas was the Respect System. Both GTA 2 and San Andreas encourage players to do things favorable to a particular faction to boost their Respect, but with different results. In GTA 2, players who have high Respect levels for one gang can access more of their missions. Meanwhile, Respect in San Andreas can indicate how many gang members protagonist Carl can hire to accompany him in missions.
This feature didn’t return in any subsequent games, and the closest to the Respect System in modern titles would be the “CEO” and “MC President” bonuses in GTA Online. This is also something GTA 6 could feature, since a lot of open world games nowadays such as Bethesda titles (Fallout, The Elder Scrolls) often feature faction-leveling with different benefits. If GTA 6 features various gangs, Respect could play a huge role in side missions and the whatnot.
6 Challenging Money Acquisition System
Given how GTA games are more or less about “having fun” in a rather reckless, more dangerous way compared to other games, it makes sense for players to have a much easier time acquiring money. After all, the difficulty here lies in how players maximize the fun they obtain from acquiring objects they have. However, GTA 6 could use a tougher money acquisition system, especially to get players to explore other components of the title.
Taking a cue from GTA Online’s business systems, GTA 6 could feature various mini-games that represent errands players could do for gangs and other establishments. It’s through these mini-games that players can earn a wide variety of extra cash on top of conducting missions.
5 Clothes Customization System
Thanks to GTA Vice City and San Andreas, players now have access to different types of clothing. This added a whole level of customization that would find its way in future games, and even in GTA Online where certain clothing such as hoods or jackets could be modified. However, despite the extensive wardrobe in GTA 5 and GTA Online, they still lack the particular level of customization that could truly personalize a player’s experience. This is quite unlike in games such as Saints Row where players could customize not just the colors but also textures and logos of their clothing.
Clothes customization system in GTA 6 could go a long way for the purposes of personalizing a player’s experience. Just the option of customizing colors manually or via palettes, as well as being able to modify their base appearance such as folds and the whatnot, could give players a better sense of ownership of their characters.
4 Physique Change System
One of the most popular features introduced in GTA San Andreas was the option to go to the Gym and modify CJ’s physique. As such, he can have a skinny physique, a muscular physique, and a large physique. However, aside from the difference in visuals, the player’s chosen physique can also affect CJ’s overall performance.
For instance, a larger CJ would mean running slower and having a harder time getting past obstacles, as well as being ridiculed by others. Meanwhile, a skinny CJ would give him faster running speed at the expense of lower health. Lastly, a muscular CJ can do more damage up close. Such a system could greatly affect the immersion levels in GTA 6, especially since this visual choice can affect the game mechanically.
3 Pedestrian Interactions
In the world of GTA, NPCs are often called Pedestrians due to their nature of simply existing to populate the roads of the setting of the game. However, by the time games like Vice City got released, Pedestrians started to get programmed with more realistic actions such as talking on phones, sitting on benches, smoking, as well as talking and fighting with each other. Some Pedestrians also have sub-classifications with unique actions, such as Street Criminals regularly stealing from civilians.
However, player interactions with respect to Pedestrians can still be limited at times. Aside from statements and remarks when bumped with, a lot of Pedestrian interactions involving players often happen while they’re aimed at or being attacked. GTA 6 can add a slight improvement in the form of other forms of interactions, such as greetings, funny remarks, or even insults that could generate various results.
2 Music Streaming
The GTA franchise has always been known for its rather peculiar and entertaining soundtrack. Aside from unforgettable hits across various games, its variety of radio shows remain entertaining for players just cruising around their vehicles. However, perhaps a small upgrade to this feature that could massively improve immersion may be in the form of music streaming.
Simply put, GTA 6 could hopefully give players a way to connect their favorite music and streaming apps into the game and allow them to listen to their favorite songs and podcasts while driving. This could boost the potential appeal of GTA 6 as a comfort game.
1 Vertical Options
One of the most amazing things one could check out in GTA isn’t just the stunning visuals of modern titles, but also the fact that players could go to roofs and other extremely tall structures with the help of aircraft such as helicopters. However, aircraft are often expensive, fragile, and difficult to maneuver, making it not as recommended for players to use them all the time.
Should GTA 6 plan on allowing players to access higher floors and buildings, it could help improve exploration to include more verticality options for players. These could include making more accessible higher-story elements such as lower roofs, terraces, and balconies. Moreover, gameplay being more vertically-involved such as taking out snipers from above, reaching buildings with cars, or needing to go to a roof for a shootout could make exploring the game more worthwhile.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is now in development.
More: GTA 6: Characters We Want To See Return (Who Could Actually Show up)
