GTA 6 brings back popular San Andreas gameplay feature and 16 other new details we now know

It’s been confirmed that popular GTA: San Andreas gameplay features are returning in GTA VI, giving fans even more reason to be excited ahead of Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated GTA VI ‘Extended Look’, which premieres on Netflix later today.

It’s a huge day for the Grand Theft Auto community, with the long-awaited GTA VI Extended Look set to premiere on Netflix. However, Rockstar Games has already revealed a wealth of new details ahead of the big reveal, following an exclusive event at Rockstar Games HQ attended by social media influencers and content creators.

GTA: San Andreas remains one of the most beloved games in the Grand Theft Auto series, and many of its gameplay features have become fan favourites over the years.

Now, thanks to exclusive coverage from media outlet Dazed, GTA VI appears to be bringing some of those popular San Andreas features back, which should delight longtime Grand Theft Auto fans ahead of today's major reveal.

GTA VI reveals 16 new gameplay details ahead of major extended look

Jason and Lucia in GTA VI, Rockstar Games

Jason And Lucia Have Very Different Backgrounds

Rockstar Games has confirmed that Jason and Lucia come from very different walks of life. Jason is a former military soldier who turned to a life of drug running, while Lucia is a ruthless fighter who has recently served time in prison.

Bonnie and Clyde are a key inspiration

As many fans suspected, Jason and Lucia's relationship draws inspiration from the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. Their partnership will be central to the story, with the pair also sharing a romantic relationship throughout GTA VI.

Working out at the gym returns

A popular GTA: San Andreas feature is making a comeback in GTA VI. Players can work out at gyms, with different exercises affecting Jason and Lucia's body shapes and potentially their in-game stats. It's a feature fans have been asking Rockstar to bring back for years.

Food will affect Jason and Lucia's bodies

Another beloved GTA: San Andreas feature returning in GTA VI is the ability for food to affect your character's physique. What Jason and Lucia eat will influence their bodies, meaning constantly eating junk food won't exactly be the healthiest choice.

The Vice City lifestyle can affect you

Life in Vice City isn't simply about causing chaos. How Jason and Lucia live their lives can affect how they perform, with excessive partying and a lack of sleep potentially impacting stats such as stamina. That could prove particularly important when you're trying to escape the police during a lengthy chase.

GTA VI NPCs will react to your actions

NPCs in GTA VI are set to be more reactive to what players do around them. For example, casually walking down the street while openly carrying a gun could cause NPCs to react, rather than waiting until the player actually starts shooting.

GTA VI NPCs are more diverse than ever

Rockstar has also significantly expanded the variety of NPCs populating Vice City. Players can expect greater diversity across skin tones, body types, clothing, hairstyles, and other physical characteristics, making the streets feel more populated and believable.

READ MORE: Rockstar Games issues spoiler warning as 'heartbreaking' GTA 6 leaks finally addressed

Players will have more freedom than ever

Freedom has always been a defining part of the Grand Theft Auto experience, but Rockstar says GTA VI will take player choice even further. The game is being designed to give players more freedom to decide how they approach situations while maintaining the personalities of Jason and Lucia.

Switch between Jason and Lucia on the fly

The character-switching mechanic that proved popular in GTA V is returning, allowing players to seamlessly switch between Jason and Lucia. The ability to change characters during missions could open up entirely new ways to approach objectives.

Play solo or as a duo

Jason and Lucia don't always have to work together. Players will be able to tackle certain situations as a pair or have the characters operate independently, giving players greater control over how they experience the story.

Your actions have consequences

Choices in GTA VI are set to carry more weight than ever before. Rockstar has indicated that player decisions can have significant repercussions, with choices potentially affecting the story and the world around Jason and Lucia.

You can be a passenger

Players won't always have to take the wheel when travelling across Vice City. GTA VI allows Jason or Lucia to ride as a passenger during journeys, giving players the opportunity to interact with accompanying characters and take in what's happening around them.

Driving has been overhauled

Rockstar has gone to considerable lengths to improve the driving experience in GTA VI. The studio consulted with real racing drivers during development to help make the game's vehicles feel more authentic and responsive.

Rockstar spent years researching Miami

To recreate Vice City, Rockstar conducted extensive research into Miami and its surrounding areas. The developers spent years studying the real-world location to ensure GTA VI's setting feels as authentic and detailed as possible.

Rockstar consulted real criminals and police officers

Rockstar also spoke to people with real-world experience of Miami's criminal underworld, including former criminals, law enforcement officers, club promoters and gun dealers. Their experiences helped the studio create a more believable Vice City and its inhabitants.

More than 50 real street artists worked on GTA VI

GTA VI's world will feature artwork created by more than 50 real-world street artists, who were recruited by Rockstar to help design murals and other street art throughout Vice City.

When is the GTA VI Extended Look?

The GTA VI Extended Look will premiere on Netflix today, August 27, at 3pm ET/8pm UK. Rockstar will subsequently release the footage through its own channels, with the YouTube and website release scheduled for 9pm ET/2am UK.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.