Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to arrive on November 19, 2026, and its reported progression system may make it harder to race through the main story. According to the source, some major plot points will be locked behind financial targets or simulated waiting periods, encouraging players to spend more time in the world of Leonida.
The system is described as a change in how Rockstar structures its open-world adventures, drawing on lessons from Red Dead Redemption II. Players will reportedly need to build up funds through activities such as robbing convenience stores, delivering cars for illegal dealers and participating in other criminal ventures before advancing through parts of Jason and Lucia’s story.
The article also reports that Rockstar North co-director Rob Nelson told The New York Times he spent about 80 hours completing a test session in February, including the main story and some optional objectives. The source contrasts this with roughly 30 hours to finish Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V.
Other reported design choices could contribute to a slower pace. The day-night cycle is said to last 2 hours and 24 minutes in real time, compared with 48 minutes in the previous game, and immediate guidance indicators on the minimap are reportedly absent. The source says players will also be able to pass time with activities including basketball, wrestling, billiards and working out.
The report describes Vice City’s beaches and businesses as operating on set schedules, with the longer in-game cycle shaping the lives of residents and the region’s environment. It also notes that some online commenters estimate the game could contain as much as 500 hours of content, though this is presented as speculation rather than a confirmed figure.
Sources: Jeuxvideo.com.