Summary
Given the high reception and praise of Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemption 2and many other games that maintain the use of morality systems, fans have been hoping the same will be done inGrand Theft Auto 6.As many only have leaks to go off of for the time being until its official reveal,suggestions of the features inRed Dead Redemption 2making an appearance here are prevalent, especially since the leaks have revealed similar animations and physics.
While it is plausible to assume the aforementioned core gameplay mechanics will be present for players to experience in the nextGrand Theft Autoinstallment, themorality system remains the biggest potential additionas this could single-handedly change the single-player open-world experience.
5Impactful Consequences
InGTA 5, players could go around doing whatever they please in the open world, most of which would align with criminal activities. This is rightly met with police action and force, and some of the most aggressive officers hunting down players until they are put down, but in the aftermath of this, it is completely forgotten.
InRed Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar was sure to have consequences in one form or another for players depending on what they choose to do in free roam, notably attaining a wanted status until time is served or bounties are paid off. While the point of manyGrand Theft Autoentries is to do whatever players wish in the realm of crime, the implementation of impactful consequences would instantly help to provide immersion and a world that feels alive and responsive, byhelping NPCsor cops to be familiar with players' actions.
4Importance Of Clothing/Exposure
Keeping in line with the mention of NPCs or police becoming familiar with player actions inGTA 6, this introduces the potential newfound importance of players' clothing choices. A major fundamental inRed Dead Redemption 2’s morality and wanted system, was players ensuring that they were concealed when out in the open in a populated town where they have previously committed deadly acts. This could be done by keeping out of officers' line of sight or hiding Arthur or John’s face with a mask, which in itself could often result in drawing suspicion.
TakingGTA 6’s modern setting into consideration in comparison toRed Dead Redemption 2’s Wild West, this could massively contribute to the potential morality and wanted system. With the presence of CCTV cameras, police officersmonitoring criminals, and security, Rockstar could make players think twice when putting themselves out in the open when they are actively wanted.
3Chance For More Endings
With the three endings available inGrand Theft Auto 5, these only derive from the given choices in the final mission, meaning mission choices prior, or player actions, do not matter. TakingRed Dead Redemption 2again for example, Rockstar developers utilized the morality system to directly have an effect on the game’s ending, and while it does not change the sequence of events, it still changes the manner in which they play out.
If Rockstar plans on continuing down the line of including various conclusions to theRed Dead RedemptionandGrand Theft Autofranchises,GTA 6would be the next best choice as maintaining player choice and actions throughout the experienceincluding free roam, will further adhere to the aforementioned impactful consequences.
2NPCs Fear Players
In any game with a morality system that includes the possibility of executing NPCs, the element of NPCs being afraid of the player’s character stands as a prerequisite for immersion. If civilians are able to identify one who has been terrorizing a town or community, it would make sense for many of them to back away in fear or attempt to report a criminal’s presence, much like bounties and how they operate inRed Dead Redemption 2.
Adhering to impactful consequences, this stands as one of the pivotal factors in creating a morality and karma system that is active throughout the experience. While a morality system would still be dependent on the narrative and where the characters are status-wise in the story, it could very much still work as it has done previously for Rockstar.
1Character Dynamics/Behavior With Other Characters
As it has already been revealed by leaks thatGTA 6will feature two playable characters, developers at Rockstar could have the morality system include behavior changes and different interactions with other characters. This was present withArthur Morgan inRed Dead Redemption 2, as low honor can change his attitude toward other characters in cutscenes, as opposed to the light-hearted and more level-headed Arthur with high honor.
For a karma system to function in its intended way, this is a feature that would need to be addressed vigorously. For players with low karma it would not be realistic if they were friendly and positive with other characters or NPCs, while for those with high karma or honor, it would be befitting for them to be cordial and respectful with other characters they come across.
