GTA 6 Could Be an RDR2 Follow-up in Disguise, and That’s a Good Thing

GTA 6 could owe more to Red Dead Redemption 2 than its predecessor, and that could be exactly what Rockstar Games needs. Following a recent visit to the studio, Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier came away with the impression that its upcoming crime saga puts more care into the relationship between Jason and Lucia.

That is a fascinating direction for a series known for abrasive characters and outrageous satire, especially after GTA 5 made its three protagonists just as likely to insult each other as cooperate. Rockstar appears to have learned something from its last Western, and the results could make this return to Vice City much more emotionally engaging.

GTA 6 Might Be More Like Red Dead Redemption 2 Than GTA 5

In his Bloomberg report, Schreier explained how replaying GTA 5‘s opening hour recently left him exhausted by the constant shouting and insults. In contrast, his impression of Jason and Lucia was quite different. The pair seemed comfortable in each other’s company, giving their relationship a warmth that was largely absent from the earlier game’s central trio.

During the visit, Schreier watched Rockstar development lead Rob Nelson demonstrate a gameplay session featuring the pair. Jason called Lucia to meet him, kissed her when she arrived, and walked with her through a park while they held hands. Their next stop was a gym. None of this sounds particularly dramatic on paper, yet these everyday interactions give players a chance to see who the characters are when they’re not causing trouble.

That said, their partnership also carries into criminal work. The demonstration showed the pair checking out a bank before deciding its security made the job too risky. They then robbed an office at a gas station instead.

This combination is apparently what made Schreier see echoes of RDR2. Arthur Morgan’s story gave players room to get attached to its characters through conversations, quiet activities, and moments away from the main action. GTA 5 had three leads whose personalities often clashed for comic effect. Now, although a preview session can’t tell us exactly how the full story will unfold, Schreier’s impression is that Jason and Lucia could offer a more grounded emotional center.

Rockstar Wants GTA 6 to Build on RDR2′s Emotional Depth

Arthur Morgan has set a high bar for the studio. | Credit: Rockstar Games

Rockstar has actually discussed this influence directly. In an interview with Trois Couleurs, Nelson said the team wanted to bring the emotional connection players developed with Arthur Morgan into GTA 6, alongside the richer world interaction introduced in RDR2. The comparison, then, isn’t coming from Schreier alone.

Jason and Lucia give Rockstar an interesting way to build on those ideas. The studio is returning to multiple protagonists, but this time the central pair share a relationship that can shape their decisions. Their Bonnie-and-Clyde-style partnership gives the story a natural source of affection, tension, and conflicting priorities. When two people care about each other, even a disagreement over a dangerous job can carry consequences beyond the mission itself.

Nelson has also discussed how intimate character moments can make dangerous scenes more affecting. Players who have spent time watching Jason and Lucia enjoy each other’s company may feel more invested when their criminal lives put that bond under pressure. And there’s no reason this approach should cost the series its satire, absurd situations, or spectacular shootouts. If anything, giving the leads more emotional depth could make the chaos around them even more entertaining.

Could Jason and Lucia become as memorable as Arthur Morgan, or will GTA 6‘s chaos steal the show at the end of the day? Do you want Rockstar to lean further into character-driven storytelling? Let us know in the comments below!