GTA 6 appears ready to make side activities matter again. While GTA 5 offered plenty of distractions across Los Santos, many of them felt relatively disconnected from the characters themselves. Rockstar now seems to be taking a very different approach.
New details surrounding GTA 6 suggest that gyms, weight changes, sleep, fishing, hunting, basketball, racing, scuba diving and many other activities will directly interact with Jason and Lucia’s stats and appearance.
In many ways, it sounds like Rockstar is returning to the ideas that made GTA: San Andreas so memorable — only on a considerably larger scale.
GTA 6 Goes Back to the San Andreas Formula
GTA: San Andreas allowed players to transform CJ through their actions. Eating too much could make him gain weight, while exercising could build muscle. His stamina and other abilities could also improve through regular activity.
GTA 5 moved away from much of this character-management system.
GTA 6 is seemingly bringing it back.
Jason and Lucia will reportedly be affected by what players choose to do during their downtime. Some activities can increase health, stamina or other attributes, while working out together may even provide relationship benefits.
That makes optional activities much more meaningful than simply being minigames scattered around the map.
Gyms Are Properly Returning in GTA 6
Gyms are shaping up to be one of the biggest returning features.
Players will reportedly find multiple locations where Jason and Lucia can exercise. Previous footage has already shown Jason working out outdoors and Lucia performing a bench press.
There will apparently also be proper gyms requiring memberships.
Once inside, players can use different equipment and perform exercises such as bench presses, lat pulldowns, squats and potentially treadmill workouts. Players may even be able to change into dedicated gym clothing before exercising.
Drinks can also affect workouts. An energy drink, coffee or similar stamina-boosting item can temporarily improve stamina, allowing players to complete more repetitions.
Completing strength exercises can subsequently improve health, while cardio activities can contribute towards stamina.
Jason and Lucia Can Gain Weight and Lose Muscle
The similarities with San Andreas become even clearer with GTA 6’s physical transformation system.
Eating excessive amounts of food can reportedly cause characters to gain weight.
Muscle also isn’t permanent.
Players who build Jason or Lucia’s physique but stop maintaining it can eventually lose that muscle. This means hitting the gym won’t simply unlock a permanent visual upgrade.
It appears Rockstar wants players’ lifestyles to actually be reflected by their characters.
Even Sleep Matters
GTA 6 reportedly tracks sleep as well.
Jason and Lucia can become well rested, which influences the regeneration of certain attributes. Going too long without sleeping could have the opposite effect.
There may even be visual consequences.
Characters who haven’t slept enough can reportedly develop bags underneath their eyes.
This starts pushing GTA 6 closer towards some of the character-management mechanics seen in Red Dead Redemption 2, where looking after Arthur Morgan was part of the overall experience.
Fishing Is as Detailed as Red Dead Redemption 2
Fishing is also returning, and it reportedly uses a system comparable to Red Dead Redemption 2.
There is one major difference.
GTA 6 reportedly uses catch-and-release fishing, meaning players won’t simply walk around Vice City carrying their latest catch.
Fishing will instead be connected to recreational activities, challenges, collectibles and potentially narrative content.
Hunting works differently.
Players can apparently earn money through hunting, with the activity connected to a character who already knows Jason.
Basketball Returns
Basketball is another activity appearing in GTA 6.
Rather than automatically determining whether a shot succeeds, players reportedly need to aim towards the basket and correctly time their shot.
Repeatedly playing basketball and landing shots may also improve Jason or Lucia’s focus.
At least two basketball courts have already appeared through GTA 6 material, suggesting players could find several opportunities to play throughout Leonida.
Pool, Mini Golf and Possibly Full Golf
Pool tables are also returning.
One has reportedly been spotted inside the Delight nightclub area, making it likely that different bars and clubs could allow players to challenge NPCs.
Mini golf has already appeared as well.
Full-sized golf remains less certain. Mapping efforts have suggested that a golf course could exist somewhere around Vice City, although Rockstar has yet to properly showcase traditional golf gameplay.
Tennis courts have also appeared, but actual tennis gameplay hasn’t been demonstrated yet.
Wrestling Could Become Another Activity
Rockstar has additionally shown Jason participating in wrestling.
Interestingly, the footage looks considerably different from Lucia’s previously shown fighting scenes. Jason appears to participate in something closer to professional wrestling, while Lucia has been shown performing kickboxing-style moves.
Whether these are separate activities or simply different fighting styles remains unclear.
Wrestling could potentially influence health or stamina, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
Base Jumping and Parachuting Are Back
GTA 5 heavily expanded parachuting and base jumping, and GTA 6 isn’t abandoning them.
Recent footage has shown Lucia parachuting through the world.
It remains unclear whether Rockstar will bring back dedicated parachuting challenges or missions, but Vice City’s skyline certainly gives the developer plenty of opportunities.
GTA 6 Has Proper Shooting Ranges
Shooting ranges are receiving some attention too.
Rather than simply standing inside a small Ammu-Nation range, footage suggests GTA 6 could feature larger areas where players can physically move around while practicing with weapons.
These could potentially help improve the focus stat, although Rockstar hasn’t confirmed exactly how progression works here.
If weapon customization and shooting ranges are connected, players could potentially purchase or modify a weapon before immediately testing it.
Scuba Diving Looks Much More Important
Leonida’s enormous amount of water makes underwater exploration another obvious area for Rockstar to expand.
GTA 6 includes an oxygen system while diving, with the player’s stamina display switching to lung capacity when entering the water.
That could indicate lung capacity will once again become an attribute players can improve.
The underwater world itself could be considerably more interesting than GTA 5’s oceans. Wildlife has already appeared, while wrecks, collectibles and other underwater secrets would make natural additions.
Kayaking Can Even Become a Date
Kayaking has now appeared in gameplay as well.
More importantly, Jason and Lucia can apparently participate together.
This fits with Rockstar’s broader approach towards the two protagonists. Instead of simply switching between them for missions, players can seemingly spend downtime together and potentially strengthen their relationship through activities.
Going to the gym together can function similarly.
GTA 6 could therefore turn seemingly insignificant activities into part of Jason and Lucia’s relationship.
Car Collecting Goes Beyond Stealing Expensive Cars
It wouldn’t be GTA without collecting cars.
However, GTA 6 is adding another layer to it.
Players can reportedly discover classic car parts around the world and bring them back to Wyman. Completing collections can eventually result in actual vehicles being assembled that players can keep and drive.
For completionists, this could become one of GTA 6’s biggest time sinks.
Racing Could Be Massive
Racing appears to be another area where GTA 6 is going all-in.
Traditional circuit racing is present, complete with lap counters and dedicated tracks.
Underground street racing also appears to be included, with nighttime races giving off serious Midnight Club and Need for Speed vibes.
And there’s another important addition:
Nitrous.
GTA 6 footage has confirmed nitrous-powered racing, something that could make vehicle customization and underground racing considerably more interesting.
Off-road races are also available around areas such as Mount Kalaga. Some of these races appear to combine motorcycles and cars on the same course.
Jet skis have also appeared, making water racing another strong possibility.
GTA 6 Could Have More Side Content Than Any Previous GTA
The confirmed and reported list is already enormous.
Players can potentially spend their time working out, fishing, hunting, playing basketball, shooting pool, playing mini golf, wrestling, parachuting, practicing at shooting ranges, scuba diving, kayaking, collecting cars or participating in several different types of racing.
Then there are the activities players simply create themselves.
Strip clubs are returning. Nightclubs are available. GTA 6 even features a zoo that players can visit.
Jason and Lucia can apparently sit at home and watch television as well, with Rockstar reportedly hiring animators specifically to produce a large selection of fictional in-game programming.
This is exactly where GTA 6 could separate itself from GTA 5.
Rockstar isn’t merely filling Leonida with icons to complete. Many activities seem designed to interact with character progression, appearance, relationships and the wider world.
GTA: San Andreas gave players a reason to care about what CJ did outside the main story.
More than two decades later, GTA 6 appears ready to take that philosophy much further.
If everything makes it into the final game as described, completing the story might end up being only a fraction of what players actually spend their time doing.
