Rockstar Games is currently developing Grand Theft Auto VI, the latest installment in the popular Grand Theft Auto series, with a focus on expanding player freedom in both missions and open-world exploration. In an interview with IGN, Rob Nelson, Head of Development and co-Studio Head of Rockstar North, mentioned that while the studio will continue to use its signature cinematic sequences, it aims to provide more flexibility in missions. For instance, in a mission where characters Jason and Lucia need to escape a building, players can choose from multiple routes and are not required to follow a specific path to succeed. The game also seeks to blend narrative-driven missions with open-world activities, offering players more choices and a deeper sense of immersion. Rockstar acknowledges that too much freedom could affect the quality and storytelling of certain missions, so some directed sequences will remain. This approach is inspired by the storytelling techniques used in Red Dead Redemption 2, but it will be adapted to a more modern and densely populated environment. In terms of open-world exploration, Rockstar plans to encourage players to take their time and discover content naturally, without relying on map markers or icons. While some content will still be indicated, much of it is intended to be found through exploration. Players who stray from the main storyline will be "greatly" rewarded, according to Nelson. The game's world, named Leonida, is described as vast, complex, and rich in content, offering various distractions and activities that reflect the characters' lives as criminals. Players will be able to engage in a variety of open-world activities, earn money, interact with non-player characters (NPCs), and explore without specific objectives. Even side activities like car theft or heists are designed to mirror the characters' daily lives. Rockstar aims to recreate the experience of Red Dead Redemption 2, where spontaneous encounters and activities could arise from simple movements within the world. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.