But that doesn’t mean fans have been starved of details. Thanks to some pretty hefty leaks, players were able to see some early builds of Grand Theft Auto 6 in action, as well as a few of its more interesting elements that have led to much discussion among players. One of the most overdue additions that is coming to the franchise for the very first time in Grand Theft Auto 6 is a female protagonist. The character of Lucia initially caused a vocal backlash from some corners of the player community, but others have already warmed to the gun-wielding Latina. Gamers may not know much about the playable protagonist, but her male counterpart remains even more of a mysterious figure.
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How Grand Theft Auto 6’s Lucia Captured Fans’ Attention
The Grand Theft Auto franchise could be defined by many things, but its undeniable masculine energy is certainly one of them. Over several installments, gamers can take on the persona of a number of male protagonists as they indulge in some criminal behavior and run riot in a variety of locations and time periods. While some might dismiss the mainline games as gratuitous or as glorifying crime, others have recognized the often layered and complex perspective they can grant into a certain way of life. Particularly in later games like Grand Theft Auto 5, the characterization of the playable protagonists elevates the games on several fronts, but unfortunately the intricacies in their depictions rarely, if ever, include female characters.
Many think the Grand Theft Auto games have taken far too long to introduce a female protagonist, especially considering the first game was released in 1997. While other series have also revolved around male characters for decades, the female presence in the Grand Theft Auto franchise is often played for laughs at best or the subject of discriminatory and violent behavior at worst. Lucia is a sign that things are set to improve, and even the small glimpse fans have had of her has changed a lot of minds that females don’t belong as main characters in a Grand Theft Auto game. From admiration of how her character has been created technically to her indomitable personality, Lucia has already earned herself a large group of fans before Grand Theft Auto 6 has even been released. However, the same isn’t quite true for her male counterpart.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Male Protagonist
It makes sense that a lot of internet focus has centered on Lucia, not just because she seems like an interesting character who will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the series, but also because a female protagonist is such a novelty for Grand Theft Auto. The video game landscape is a constantly changing place, and Rockstar can’t afford to be left behind, especially with such a hugely anticipated release like Grand Theft Auto 6. A lot of attention will undoubtedly be trained on Lucia, but that doesn’t mean the male protagonist can slack off. He may have his work cut out for him if he wants to stand out, but the rumored Bonnie and Clyde dynamic that he will have with Lucia creates the possibility of a really intriguing partnership.
Grand Theft Auto 6 has been plagued by leaks ever since its announcement, but thanks to a lack of official news, this has helped to give fans a potential insight into what the upcoming game could be about. The reportedly named Jason will be the other half of the main duo, but his relationship to Lucia is still unclear and could cover anything from romantic to familial. Some of the leaked footage, which Rockstar later confirmed was real gameplay from Grand Theft Auto 6’s early development, showed co-protagonists Lucia and Jason holding up a diner, which hints at the upcoming game’s rumored focus on robbery and heists. But while players were able to see plenty of Lucia’s personality, the same can’t be said of Jason.
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How Grand Theft Auto 6 Is Shaping Up
In previous Grand Theft Auto games, players have been able to forge their own stories for the most part as they roam the massive maps and cause their own particular brand of chaos. But at the heart of each entry, the games tend to be centered around their protagonist (or protagonists) and are shaped by their narratives. Grand Theft Auto 5 in particular featured a memorable performance from the three playable characters. Retired robber Michael, gangster Franklin, and drug dealer Trevor helped the game garner universal acclaim, and their unique dynamic was a key part of its success. Grand Theft Auto 6 already looks like it has a different approach by trimming the main trio down to a potential pair, but it needs to recapture the complex relationship between its leads.
Lucia may be a welcome addition, but she can’t carry the next title all on her own. If Jason is going to be a co-lead, he needs to be as interesting and fresh a character as his female counterpart. Rockstar has already said that it is trying not to ‘punch down’ anymore with its humor like fans have seen in previous entries. Previously, marginalized or underrepresented communities have been the targets of jokes or discrimination, so the studio has to be careful that its Latina protagonist doesn’t become an under-researched stereotype, and Jason is also an opportunity to delve into a new side of the series’ many male protagonists.
Although speculation continues around where Grand Theft Auto 6 will be set, what the gameplay will entail, and what format the online elements of the title will cover, fans remain optimistic. Things may change dramatically from the leaked early footage, but with two solid protagonists leading the highly anticipated next entry, hopefully Grand Theft Auto 6 will have as impressive a character-focused narrative as its predecessor.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently in development.
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