GTA VI's wanted system looks like it will be completely different to the previous games'

While Rockstar Games have yet to drop a teaser, there’s been a series of gameplay leaks from Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) – including an improved wanted system – that have got people talking.

The return to Vice City was confirmed by developers telling fans it’s currently in active development.

Hints from Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick suggest it could drop in 2024 – but nothing has been confirmed.

READ MORE: GTA 6 leak reveals massive file size with endless gameplay

It’s the advancement of the “wanted system” in the new GTA VI that looks set to deliver a whole new gaming experience.

Some leaked clips show protagonists Jason and Lucia robbing Hank’s Waffle House.

And, when analysed by fans, its seems the short video gives us an insight into what GTA VI has in store.

As the characters grab cash from the register and intimide customer NPCs, it seems a new “witness” mechanism kicks in.

Under the wanted level stars, the words “Full Description” pops up.

This seems to indicate that the witness NPCs know what you look like, what you did and aren’t afraid to tell.

Players reported seeing a female NPC inside with a yellow icon above her head, which flickers as Lucia leaves the diner and turns red as she runs away.

Jason can be seen trying to prevent customers that have a yellow icon above their head from calling the cops or running away. 

Players talked about it in a GTA VI document.

“Once Lucia enters the police vehicle, you can see written: ‘No Vehicle Description,’ which quickly changes to: ‘Full Vehicle Description,’ which suggests that the police have a full description of your vehicle,” players said.

“The text prompt on the top-left side says: Any vehicle you are seen entering will be known by the law.”

GTA 6 leak reveals a major overhaul to the wanted system and more realistic police AI. Fans are excited about the changes, but some are concerned that they could make the game too difficult.#GTA6 #RockstarGames #WantedSystem #PoliceAI pic.twitter.com/uaUKRzY7hv

— GTA 6 INFO NEWS (@GTA_info_news) September 21, 2023

Additionally, the footage revealed Jason trying to prevent NPCs with the yellow icon from calling the cops or running away.

This new, more realistic element means that players have to think and hide if they want to steal a car.

In addition, a new dispatch time feature means that the authorities won’t show the second you commit a crime.

What’s more they’ll move around or raise their guns over cars and other obstacles to shoot characters.

So back to the original question, when can expect GTA VI to release?

No one knows for sure, but CEO Zelnick says Take-Two Interactive expects to generate $8 billion in sales between April 2024 and March 2025.

Most people assumed this means GTA VI is likely to launch at some point during that time window, considering there aren’t that many Take-Two / Rockstar titles that can generate that much revenue in such a short amount of time.