GTA 6 will allow players to roam most of its map early in the campaign rather than gating areas behind story progress. The approach aligns more closely with GTA 5 than with the restricted zones seen in GTA 4. IGN reports the details from an Edge magazine preview relayed by the GTA VI O'Clock podcast.
Early Access to Leonida
After initial story segments that introduce characters and systems, the full state of Leonida opens for unrestricted travel. Players can head to any region, including northern sections, without waiting for later missions. The design removes the bridge blockades and forced sequencing used in earlier titles.
Handcrafted Density and Ongoing Discovery
Rockstar North co-studio head Aaron Garbut stated that the team continues to uncover new locations within the world. The map features an order of magnitude more interiors than prior Rockstar games, each built with high detail by hand. This level of density contributes to the sense that exploration can continue well beyond the main story path.
Release Window
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PS5.
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