New GTA VI leak reveals major map details and gameplay mechanics
Hackers leaked GTA VI over the lack of physical discs (screenshot: Rockstar Games)
New GTA VI gameplay footage and a map have leaked online. They reveal the return of progression elements from San Andreas, a Red Dead Redemption-style honor system, and the need to refuel vehicles, according to Push Square.
Despite Rockstar Games’ efforts to keep development under wraps until the official release, new gameplay videos and an image of the Grand Theft Auto VI map have appeared online.
Leonida map details and first footage of Jason
The leaked map of Leonida, the game’s fictional version of Florida, shows a large metropolis in the east, green areas in the north and west, as well as a group of islands in the south. The map features icons for safehouses, vehicles, robbery masks, and even alligators.
In the first video, one of the two main protagonists, Jason, is at his waterfront safehouse:
- Exercise equipment can be seen on the house’s balcony, hinting at a workout mechanic similar to the one in GTA San Andreas.
- After Jason makes a successful basketball shot, his focus stat temporarily increases.
- A focus meter and the series’ familiar money-counter font can be seen at the top of the screen.
- The location matches the official Safehouse screenshots on Rockstar’s website.
Fight, honor system and new vehicle mechanics
The second video shows more dynamic events on the road. Jason turns around on a bridge in The Keys, causes a crash involving a truck, and gets into a fight with the driver.
The scene reveals several important gameplay elements:
- Jason takes down the opponent with a wrench, with each hit draining his stamina meter.
- After the fight, the game gives him a two-star wanted level, while a devil icon with a minus sign appears on the screen, suggesting a karma/honor system similar to Red Dead Redemption.
- Loadout”and storage prompts appear near the car, hinting that weapons and other items can be stored in the trunk.
- The vehicle’s name and a fuel-level indicator are displayed on the dashboard, suggesting that players will have to refuel their cars.
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Why did the leak happen?
The anonymous hacker who posted the footage said it was done in protest against Rockstar’s policies.
The publisher plans to sell physical copies of the game without discs, with only an activation code inside the box. The leaker has threatened to release more footage if the policy remains in place.
The official full reveal of Grand Theft Auto VI is expected at the end of August, with the premiere initially taking place on Netflix before the video is later released on YouTube.
The game is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19.
