Rockstar Games has revealed that GTA 6 will feature a new Criminal Profile system, an evolution of Red Dead Redemption 2's Honor System, designed to track player behavior and its effects on how the game world reacts. According to Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson, speaking to IGN, the system is more nuanced than its predecessor: "There isn't a right or wrong way to play this game, but consistent actions may have an impact in terms of how the world reacts to you and how the narrative plays out." Unlike RDR2, where players could offset heinous acts with minor good deeds, GTA 6's system accounts for context—defending yourself or responding proportionally to threats won't count against you, but unnecessary escalation will.
Small acts of kindness, such as throwing away trash or being kind to animals, can help improve a player's Criminal Profile, echoing similar mechanics from RDR2's Honor System. Polygon notes that leaked gameplay footage showed a visual indicator—a devil-face emoji—appearing when protagonist Jason beat up an NPC, reinforcing that the system reacts dynamically to in-game actions. Nelson emphasized that Jason and Lucia, as criminals on the run, are expected to act accordingly: "You are playing as criminals on the run, but the narrative is such that it makes most sense for them to do what they need to do while not drawing unnecessary attention."
The Wanted system has also been overhauled. According to GamesRadar+ and Eurogamer, the star system now goes up to six stars, an increase from GTA 5's five-star cap. Crucially, a crime must be witnessed or trigger an alarm for police to respond, and law enforcement now tracks specific details about suspects—including clothing, vehicle, and whether they are with a partner. Players can evade detection by changing these details, such as swapping cars, altering appearance, or splitting up from a partner if the couple is being tracked.
Kotaku reports that GTA 6 will introduce a suppressive fire mechanic, allowing players to fire warning shots near police or civilians instead of aiming to kill, giving them a chance to escape without resorting to lethal violence. Nelson explained that this fits the story of two characters trying to evade the law rather than engage in prolonged shootouts: "We wanted to give players the choice not to kill police or civilians while trying to get away... but it also sits in line with the story of how Jason and Lucia are trying to get away from the law." The recent trailer reportedly shows Jason shooting out a police vehicle's tires instead of killing the officer inside, illustrating a non-lethal approach to escaping law enforcement.
Nelson also addressed a broader design philosophy behind these systems: making players less "overpowered" compared to previous GTA titles. "You are still powerful and capable, but you are not the only one capable of violence or the only one with weapons or the only crazy person out there," he told IGN, as reported by GamesRadar+. This is intended to make the world of Leonida feel more unpredictable, with NPCs capable of retaliating if provoked, and safehouses in the game designed to feel more interactive and home-like, similar to camps in RDR2.
Polygon additionally notes that GTA 6 will include deeper relationship mechanics between Jason and Lucia, allowing players to interact through texting, holding hands, or shopping together, with the strength of their bond said to have some impact on the story, though not necessarily determining a good or bad ending. Eurogamer also notes that Rockstar has faced separate allegations of union-busting after firing dozens of staff last year, though Take-Two has stated the firings were due to "gross misconduct."