Summary
Grand Theft Auto 6is one of the most anticipated games of the generation. TheGTAfranchise is legendary, as is its developer, Rockstar Games, and this is for a good reason. The Rockstar brand has become synonymous with high-quality and boundary-pushing products.Red Dead Redemption 2immediately became a modern classic when it launched, andGrand Theft Auto 5is the highest-grossing media product of all time, reflecting its enduring popularity. Each game from the developer brings with it a massive boost in immersion.Grand Theft Auto 6will presumably continue this trend, and bringing back one feature last seen inGTA: San Andreaswould help it to do so.
Red Dead Redemption 2is the latest game from Rockstar, and many of its mechanics are simulator-esque. Arthur’s hair and beard grow and must be maintained, and he and his horse can both get dirty, requiring players to clean them manually. One mechanic in the game that is underutilized is its nutrition tracking. The player must eat food to keep Arthur nourished, but there is no visual indicator of whether he has eaten enough. Instead, players are required to check Arthur’s sustenance levels in a menu. This is a problem thatGrand Theft Auto: San Andreasalready has a solution for.The protagonist ofSan Andreas, CJ, could gain and lose fat and muscle, changing his appearance in the game.
Dynamic Body Types Made GTA San Andreas Immersive
UntilGrand Theft Auto 5,San Andreaswas Rockstar’s most customizable experience. CJ could actively gain and lose fat and muscle. If players didn’t eat, CJ would lose muscle and grow weaker, but eating too much made him put on weight, impacting his health and stamina. Mechanics likethis are whyGTA: San Andreasis a timeless classicin many fans' eyes. Not only did CJ’s lifestyle impact how the game played, but it was also reflected visually alongside other customization such as haircuts, clothing, and tattoos. Systems in later games are more in-depth, but the visual feedback provided inSan Andreasmakes it feel more immersive.
Dynamic Body Types Would Add To GTA 6’s Immersion
The dynamic body types inGrand Theft Auto: San Andreaswere years ahead of their time. The immersion provided by this mechanic resembles the dynamic systems ofRed Dead Redemption 2,yet it is absent from that game.Grand Theft Auto 6’s reveal traileris filled with incredibly detailed buildings and character models, making it clear that it will be Rockstar’s most realistic and captivating experience yet. Bringing back the ability for the protagonist’s body to change dynamically, gaining and losing muscle and fat, would be an excellent way to pay homage toSan Andreaswhile makingGTA 6more immersive.
Grand Theft Auto Could Build on the Body Type Mechanic From San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreaswill turn 20 years old in 2024. In the intervening years, technology has come a long way. On top of bringing the body type mechanic back in a game that is visually richer,Grand Theft Auto 6could build on the system. CJ’s clothes would always be somewhat formfitting inSan Andreas, butGTA 6could let players buy differently sized clothing that becomes tighter or baggier as the bodies ofGTA 6’s Luciaand her partner change dynamically. Like inSan Andreas, the character’s levels of fitness could impact things such as stamina recovery and overall health, providing pros and cons for maintaining different body types.
