There’s perhaps no gameplay feature that’s more synonyms with Grand Theft Auto than the series’ Wanted system. But like many of the mechanics that underpin the core of the series, it seems, the Wanted system in GTA 6 has evolved in significant ways.
We picked up on several key details from IGN’s preview and the Netflix extended look. For starters, Wanted is back to the classic six-star system, just as some of the leaks showed. The police’s awareness of your character has been pushed further, however. Suspect description now includes what you’re wearing, the car you’re driving, and whether or not you were spotted with another character.
That also means someone has to witness the crime for it to get the police’s attention. Or, it has to be reported, such as when an alarm is set off. To help evade capture, you may choose to, well, do something that conflicts with the description the police has of you. This can be done by swapping your vehicle for a different one – or going on foot into a busy area, changing your outfit, or splitting up with your partner if the description calls for a couple.
Your Criminal Profile is the other major addition to GTA 6’s crime system, and it exists as a new addition in GTA 6 right alongside the Wanted system. The Criminal Profile is apparently a more nuanced version of Red Dead Redemption 2‘s Honor system, reflecting how you behave in the game.
“If you hit and run, commit a crime and run, get into trouble and move on before the cops get there, and you don’t start shooting people, don’t start escalating – which you absolutely can do if you want to – but if you don’t, you’re generally going to be fine,” Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson explained to IGN.
“It’s when you go beyond what is necessary on a consistent basis, or you do completely unnecessary stuff consistently, that you may start to sway your criminal profile in a certain direction,” he added.
We’ll be updating this story as we learn more…
