Rockstar formed a new LA-based team to develop more realistic NPCs for Grand Theft Auto 6

Rockstar Games announced the formation of an all-new LA-based team dedicated to creating more lifelike non-playable characters (NPCs) for their upcoming game, Grand Theft Auto 6. The Los Angeles-based team, comprised of writers, directors, and producers, meticulously art-directed each individual NPC, considering factors such as who sits where, what they're drinking, and the remnants left on tables.

Every room within the game, according to Rockstar North co-head Aaron Garbut, has been meticulously designed, including the pictures on the walls that feature people from the room, including their tattoos and family members.

Garbut explained that Rockstar North co-head Rob Nelson described GTA 6 as an evolution from the level of detail and scale achieved in Red Dead Redemption 2. With GTA 6, the studio aims to accomplish a similar level of interactive fidelity in a modern, densely populated environment. The game is expected to feature over 600,000 NPC animations, compared to 300,000 in Red Dead Redemption 2 and 55,000 in GTA 5.

Vice City in GTA 6 is reported to be twice the size of Los Santos, with its map being three times larger than that of Red Dead Redemption 2. Furthermore, Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 will not incorporate generative AI or microtransactions. A recent extended preview of the game on Netflix highlighted these features, showcasing the depth of interactivity and the game's story, combat, and gameplay. The preview on Netflix led to a 35% increase in US mobile viewership, causing both Netflix and Twitch to crash.