Guardian preview of GTA VI describes planned robberies, optional empathy and 62 bird species

The Guardian's Keza MacDonald visited Rockstar North in Edinburgh for a preview of Grand Theft Auto VI, according to Notebookcheck, and spoke with Rob Nelson and Rockstar executive Jennifer Kolbe. MacDonald first shared initial impressions in her Pushing Buttons newsletter, Notebookcheck reports. MacDonald's longer account of the visit is scheduled for The Guardian's Saturday Magazine on November 14, Notebookcheck says. Vice says the preview gives a clearer picture of how Jason and Lucia will spend their time in Vice City.

Small jobs and careful planning

Vice reports that Jason and Lucia begin with smaller jobs, such as hotwiring cheaper cars and picking basic locks, and that bigger jobs come later in the story. Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson described the pair as "a younger couple with their backs against the wall," Vice reports, which helps account for the modest first jobs. RockstarINTEL reports that higher-paying robberies are not open from the start, because players need the experience and connections to pull them off. Vice says the Guardian feature describes scouting a location before a robbery, with players able to search for a rear entrance or a safe code, switch off security cameras or take the footage. RockstarINTEL quotes Nelson as saying, "Narratively, it doesn't make a lot of sense for them to go out and cause as much carnage and make as much noise as they can."

Inside the jewellery store demo

In the demo shown to The Guardian, a jewellery store robbery spiralled into a pursuit by police cars and helicopters once a guard opened fire on Jason and Lucia, Vice reports. RockstarINTEL says Lucia held the guards at gunpoint with her pistol for a few tense seconds until they gave up. On the floor above, Jason was stuffing money from the safe into a holdall when another guard chose to shoot instead of surrendering, according to RockstarINTEL. After the escape, the pair put the cash in their car, changed clothes and hid until police stopped searching for them, RockstarINTEL adds. Notebookcheck adds that MacDonald recounts Nelson taking issue with where a security guard's feet were positioned during the jewellery store robbery.

Relationships, empathy and wildlife

Jason and Lucia can phone and text each other when they are apart, and go on dates when they are together, according to Vice. Vice notes that a liquor store robbery can count as a date, and that the game even includes a button for holding hands. Vice reports that Nelson said players can nurture the relationship or allow it to deteriorate. According to Vice, Rockstar says players can switch freely between Jason and Lucia for most of the game. According to Vice, Rockstar now offers players ways to show empathy, which the site describes as a first for the Grand Theft Auto series. Nelson told The Guardian that the team built in such options for players who want them, according to Vice. Nelson described empathy as a design choice backed by optional mechanics, Vice says, such as Jason asking a dog's owner whether he can pet the animal. MacDonald also saw how bystanders respond when a conversation is interrupted, with some wondering who the player is and others sounding less friendly, Vice says. In the demo, Jason raised his binoculars to identify a gull on the beach, and the bird was added to a wildlife logbook, according to Vice. RockstarINTEL reports that Rockstar confirmed 62 types of bird to spot across Leonida.

Miami research and small details

Rockstar's first Miami research trips date back to 2015, Notebookcheck says, citing MacDonald. Notebookcheck says Nelson recalled visiting clubs, spending time in Florida Keys bars and riding with police officers through South Beach. Nelson said Rockstar's first step with a new location is to immerse itself in the place, its history and its atmosphere, according to Notebookcheck. In the demo, Jason could eat a donut and drink beer as he walked, Notebookcheck reports. When Jason breaks into a run, he tucks the six-pack under his arm and the liquid is seen sloshing in the bottles, according to Notebookcheck. Dazed reports that the bodies and clothes of background characters are far more varied than in earlier games and tailored to their local environments. Miami-based stylist Jillian Carr has worked with Rockstar since 2023 on an in-game fashion ecosystem, according to Dazed. Carr said appearances carry significant weight in Vice City because of social media, celebrity culture and a steady flow of tourists.

Launch date and what comes next

Rockstar's head of publishing Jennifer Kolbe told The Guardian that staff "would never stop working on this game if they had the choice," according to RockstarINTEL. Kolbe added that the studio "could have made GTA 5.5, and done it faster," but that was not what the team wanted. Nelson said the game is ultimately taken away from the team, which does its best to finish it in the time it is given. RockstarINTEL says the article adds that many Rockstar staff are now on holiday for a well-earned break. Rockstar's release of June 24, 2026 said players with digital pre-orders could begin pre-loading on November 12, 2026, so they can play at launch. Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at $79.99, Rockstar Games said.