In previous Grand Theft Auto games, stealing a car was an almost instantaneous process: the player walked up to a car he liked, pulled out the driver and drove away. In GTA 6, Rockstar will make the usual mechanics more complex. Now, the chosen car may be protected by electronic systems and equipped with trackers or other security features, so not every car can be picked up without preparation.
According to Rockstar North co-director Rob Nelson, cars in the new section will have different levels of protection. Simple and older models can still be stolen relatively easily, while expensive cars require special tools. Therefore, players must consider not only the appearance or characteristics of the car, but also the difficulty of using it.
The WAINK scanner is one of the new devices. It will allow you to determine how protected a particular machine is and its approximate cost. After receiving this message, Jason and Lucia will be able to decide whether to contact the selected target.
Some vehicles require more advanced equipment. For example, a device for cloning digital keys will allow you to access machines protected by modern electronic systems. At the same time, some of these tools will only be revealed as the story progresses, and the player’s abilities will gradually expand.
Even if the car is in the hands of a thief, the thief’s problem is not over yet. Some cars may have trackers installed, and there are different types of such systems. More advanced equipment can automatically transmit information to law enforcement agencies. Additionally, according to data provided by Rockstar, a single system can even react to situations where a stolen car is traveling below a certain speed.
As it turns out, the kidnapping itself was just the beginning of the process. Players must first select a suitable target, handle its protection, get inside, and then escape safely without getting caught due to the installed equipment.
At the same time, theft will also have a very real economic component. Acquired cars can be delivered to stolen goods buyers and sold, turning dangerous activities into a source of income. Additionally, players can find out how much it costs to legally register a vehicle.
The vehicle ownership system will also become more flexible. Both Jason and Lucia can have several cars of their own, but the number of cars will depend on the hero’s financial means and the available space in the garage. Therefore, a car in GTA 6 is not just a temporary means of transportation, but a full-fledged asset that has value and requires some investment.
New mechanics may affect mission structure. Rockstar has shown that it wants to force players to be more intentional about their daily actions. If car theft requires tool selection and protection levels, developers could apply similar concepts to other types of crime.
For example, a small store may have a primitive alarm system that is easily deactivated, whereas a bank or well-protected building requires special equipment and prior preparation. This makes heists more varied: the set of tools available determines not only the likelihood of success, but also what valuables can be taken.
However, Rockstar doesn’t plan to completely abandon the series’ traditional formula. In GTA 6, it’s possible to steal a car almost instantly, especially when we’re talking about a cheap and poorly protected car. However, the advent of security layers has added options that were few and far between before.
Players must now decide which car is better to ride in, whether the equipment available is sufficient, whether it makes sense to risk it for an expensive goal, whether a tracker is installed on the car, and whether it is possible to evade the police. All in all, this turns the most familiar elements of Grand Theft Auto into a much deeper system.
Leonidas himself would also create more difficulties. Heavy traffic and narrow city streets can make chases and escapes more unpredictable. As a result, an ordinary car theft in GTA 6 has the potential to turn into a full-blown small-scale operation – from selecting targets to selling the loot.
So Rockstar has once again taken a familiar mechanic and tried to add more depth to it without destroying its simplicity. Car theft is still an integral part of GTA 6, but now players have to actually hunt for some cars, choose the right hack and think about their escape route in advance.