The Open World Vice is seemingly Fully Ray Traced, loaded with the Most Varied NPC System to Date
“Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look” dropped on Netflix on August 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET (August 28, 2026, 12:30 AM IST), running for 26 minutes. Even with all the leaked footage floating around in recent weeks, the premiere looked nothing like it. The Netflix showing, which aired six hours before hitting Rockstar’s YouTube channel, hinted that the leaks came from a much earlier build—one that’s nowhere near as polished as the slick presentation we saw last night.
When the Gameplay Speaks for Itself
Rockstar’s presentation skipped the usual small talk from developers or studio heads and jumped straight into an extended 26-minute showcase filled mostly with real-time gameplay and in-game cutscenes. Compared to GTA V, the gameplay feels more grounded, featuring an improved NPC interaction system carried over from Red Dead Redemption 2. The footage highlighted intricate gameplay mechanics, story elements, and richly detailed environments, all running on a base PlayStation 5. It was fully ray-traced but capped at 30 frames per second.
The Dynamic Relationship of Jason and Lucia
Much of the footage offered a closer look at the criminal duo Jason and Lucia, highlighting their dynamic relationship and the Vice City/Leonida setting. It also showed Lucia’s apartment and various activities they can enjoy together, from doom-scrolling social media to holding hands. The developers have made it clear that the romantic element is entirely optional; while it may change some story dialogues, it won’t significantly affect the main narrative. Jason and Lucia will always remain partners in crime.
In the Footsteps of Red Dead 2
From the footage, GTA VI’s NPC system feels a lot like Red Dead Redemption 2’s, letting players lock onto and interact with characters in context—even pet dogs. These interactions have consequences, and the overall NPC interactivity is more advanced than ever. On top of that, there are plenty of side tasks and activities like base jumping, scuba diving, racing, and lifestyle elements such as eating, drinking, and managing character weight.
Where Every Action Has an Implication
Much like Red Dead 2’s honor system, there seem to be hints of a karma mechanic influenced by good or bad actions, such as petting dogs or running from heists, along with a feature that tracks criminal reputation. It’s still uncertain if this will significantly impact the main story. Police evasion also looks tougher, with officers not appearing on the minimap, making them harder to track, and it looks like the six-star wanted level system is back on the menu.
More Grounded Than Ever
Unlike GTA V’s arcade-style gameplay, GTA VI takes a more grounded approach similar to GTA IV, with combat that feels slower and weightier, backed by an impressive physics system. While this might frustrate some GTA Online players, I’m all for it—now more than ever—as it looks less floaty and more realistic, just the way it should be.
Locked to 30 fps? What about Series S?
While insider reports and footage suggest that GTA VI could be locked at 30 fps on all consoles, Rockstar Games hasn’t confirmed this. It’s still unclear how the game will run on the less powerful Series S, which has under half the raw power of the base PS5. There’s a chance we might see a 60 fps patch later, or perhaps a 40 fps balanced mode for consoles with a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR enabled. So far, Rockstar has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of multiple graphics modes.
For a more in-depth look, check out the extended trailer and the Rockstar site.
Grand Theft Auto VI releases on November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
