The best details you missed

A shirtless man with a golden gun drives away in a boat carrying a duffel bag full of cash.

Image: rock star games

Well, one of the biggest video game leaks in history happened over the weekend. I probably don’t need to tell you this, but yes, in case you missed it: the first images of the next Grand Theft Autoconsidered by many to be GTA VI, leaked all over the internet yesterday. Today, Rockstar commented on the situation, calling it an “illegal” hack and promising it won’t impact the development of the long-awaited open-world sequel.

While we can’t link to images or include screenshots of them, a quick Google search might point you in the right direction. In the meantime, if you don’t want to wade through 90 videos with a ton of random content from a game that’s still in development, I’m here to help. I did all the research for you and found some interesting details about the upcoming Grand Theft Auto Game.

Oh and be warned: at the very end, there are some things you might not want to know. I’ll let you know again when we get there.

Welcome to Vice City

The following Grand Theft Auto returns to one of the franchise’s most beloved and iconic locations: Vice City, Florida. However, like modern versions of Liberty City and Los Santos (in GTA IV and GTA V), this new Vice City is more realistic and takes place in our time, not in the 80s.

Based on details spotted in the various leaked videos, it looks like players will be able to explore large city centers, small rural areas, and even some swamps. Looking closer, I was able to spot a few places that previously appeared in the original GTA Vice City in 2004, including the return of the Malibu Club, Ocean View Hotel, Vice Beach and Little Hati.

Meet the main characters, a criminal couple

Based on earlier reports and these newly leaked images, it appears that GTA VI will feature two characters: a man named Jason and a woman named Lucia. Earlier reports described these two as having a Bonnie and Clyde type relationship. This is supported by the mention of Bonnie and Clyde in some debug menus seen in the leaked clips.

In the first images I’ve seen, players use “Down” on the d-pad to switch between Lucia and Jason. It also seems that when a character picks up loot or items, some things will be shared and some won’t. However, it remains to be seen how this will work in the actual game.

Both characters appear very detailed, even in this unfinished sequence. And they have a ton of entertainment. For example, when shot at, they will use their weapons and rifles to attempt to deflect the bullets. Characters can also become fully laid down, one series first.

A policeman arrests a woman in a white shirt and beige hat.

Image: rock star games

Combat, crime and police relations

As GTA V, this new entry appears to use a weapon wheel to allow players to select different weapons or explosives. However, this time around, it looks like players won’t just be pulling weapons out of nowhere, with characters tossing guns and shotguns behind their backs when not in use. It also looks like you’ll be able to easily pick up and drop weapons, which could come in handy during a big shootout if you’re low on ammo and need to ditch your gun for a dead cop’s shotgun.

Equipment and other items are also spotted on the weapon wheel screen. My theory is that players might be able to keep health kits and other items, which could allow them to heal during combat or perhaps gain temporary buffs. For example, one item included what appeared to be painkillers ala Max Payne. Maybe it will allow you to slow down time during firefights?

This being a GTA Game, you’ll get in trouble with the police and in the first footage we’ve seen, the cops seem more organized and tactical. They also seem more coordinated. When Lucia enters a car during a police shootout, the game mentions that the “Law” will know which vehicle she entered even after escaping. To me, it sounds like a mechanic who will force you to abandon vehicles before you can truly escape the police.

Strip clubs, swamps and scuba diving

Although most of the leaked images focus on specific tests or areas of the game, they provide a few clues and look first at other things you’ll be able to do in GTA VI when not fighting the police or completing missions.

One activity that keeps coming up is the opportunity to visit a strip club and watch performers dance. Included in the leaked footage is what appears to be the start of a first mission that takes place at a strip club. Other footage shows Lucia exploring this same club outside of a mission.

With swamps all around Florida, you’ll need a way to get around easily. And it seems to help players explore, Rockstar is adding flyable airboats. You can also go scuba diving. But wait, there’s more!

An alligator looks at the camera and enters the water.

An alligator as seen in Red Dead Redemption II
Screenshot: rock star games

Florida animals

In one of the leaked videos, you can see a ton of debugging information and actions. While browsing, I was able to spot many references to animals, including boars, dogs, alligators, and raccoons. Now the animals appeared in the past GTA games, but it really seems to increase the amount of wildlife you’ll encounter while playing.

Not only that, I spotted debugging options related to fishing spots and bait shops. The fishing mechanic found in Red Dead Redemption II make a return to GTA VI? Maybe. Even more interesting are three debugging options related to horses and animal taming. Being able to ride a horse is nothing new red deathbut would be a first series in GTA.

Other interesting things, Easter eggs, etc.

Alright, let’s get to some of the most interesting things I spotted in the leaked footage. But first, a warning. If you want to enter GTA VI as fresh as possible, turn away. The following paragraph contains a list of possible easter eggs, secret events, etc. Probably none oIf these items are important to the overall plot of the game, but you like to stumble upon strange things or secrets yourself, turn away now. For everyone…

Image for article titled The best hidden details in the GTA VI leak

I was surprised by the number of weird things mentioned directly in the leaked images. Most of this seems to be tied to random events that can be triggered as players explore the world. Some things included mention of a haunted warehouse, sex robots, a spiritual journey, a creepy voice in a storm drain, a figure that can be spotted in the woods, and a mummified old lady. But perhaps most exciting for GTA mystery hunters is the mention of a sighting of Skunk Ape and UFOs. (The Skunk Ape is Florida’s take on Bigfoot.)

As with everything mentioned above, this is all subject to change. Rockstar may remove some or all of these items before the game is released. In fact, many of these items can currently only exist as text or menus and have yet to be fully implemented. Still, I’m excited about what I’ve been able to get out of all this leaked footage.


Hopefully Rockstar won’t have to deal with leaks anymore and they can get back to business GTA VI so that we can all play it ourselves in the near future. Until then, I’ll be here putting together bits and pieces of some of this footage until we get a new trailer.