Gameplay

GTA 6 Beginners Guide

Rumor2 min readUpdated

A GTA 6 beginners guide based on Rockstar's past games: how to start strong, stay out of trouble, earn early cash and get around Leonida in your first hours.

Lucia's low-rise apartment building in Crosstown, with the downtown skyline behind
Lucia's apartment block in Crosstown.
On this page
  1. What should you do first in GTA 6?
  2. How do you avoid the police early on?
  3. How do you make money early in GTA 6?
  4. How do you get around Leonida?
  5. FAQ

This GTA 6 beginners guide gives you a head start for your first hours in Leonida, using lessons from GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 while we wait for the real game. Controls and systems are not confirmed yet, so treat these tips as expectations. We will replace guesses with tested advice after 19 November 2026.

The good news is that Rockstar games share a lot of DNA. If you played GTA V, most of what you know will help.

What should you do first in GTA 6?

Before you hit the streets, spend five minutes in the settings menu. In recent Rockstar games, the defaults are not always the best:

  1. Turn on subtitles. Rockstar dialogue is fast, and car radios can drown it out.
  2. Check camera and aim settings. Aim assist and sensitivity make a big difference early on.
  3. Adjust the mini map zoom if available, since Leonida is large.
  4. Look for any quality or performance mode on your console. Our performance guide covers what we know.

Then follow the story for a while. Early missions in GTA games usually unlock key features like the phone, safehouses and shops.

Jason Duval drives an old car with his arm across the seat, palm trees outside
Jason behind the wheel.

How do you avoid the police early on?

The wanted system is expected to be smarter than GTA V's, with witnesses and cameras playing a bigger role. A few habits help in any GTA:

  • Do not commit crimes in front of police or busy crowds.
  • Break line of sight and hide in alleys, under bridges or in tall grass.
  • Change vehicles away from the scene.
  • Save often if the game allows manual saves.
Police pull over a pickup by a bus stop in Washington Beach
A traffic stop in Washington Beach.

How do you make money early in GTA 6?

Story missions will likely be your main source of income early on. Convenience store robberies are shown in the trailers and should be a quick, risky way to earn. Bigger payouts will almost certainly come from heists later.

Avoid spending everything on the first fast car you see. Weapons, armour and a reliable vehicle usually matter more in the opening hours. See our make money guide for more.

How do you get around Leonida?

Leonida is a state, not a single city, so travel will take longer than in Los Santos. Boats are a big part of the setting, and airboats are shown in the swamps. Our getting around guide covers transport options, and the interactive map helps you plan routes.

FAQ

Is GTA 6 hard for beginners?

Rockstar games are usually forgiving early on, with tutorials built into the first missions. We expect GTA 6 to follow that pattern.

Should I play GTA 5 before GTA 6?

You do not need to. GTA 6 has a new story and new characters, though GTA 5 is a good way to learn the series' controls.

What should I buy first in GTA 6?

We expect armour, a solid weapon and a reliable car to be the best first purchases, but prices and shops are not confirmed.

Can you lose money when you die in GTA 6?

In GTA 5 you paid hospital bills after dying. GTA 6 has not confirmed its penalties.

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