Gameplay

GTA 6 Wanted System and Police

Likely2 min readUpdated

GTA 6 trailers show police chases, robberies and getaways across Leonida. Here is what we expect from the wanted system, police behaviour and ways to escape.

A pickup truck splashes through the swamp chased by police cars and a helicopter
A police chase through the Grassrivers.
On this page
  1. What do the trailers show about police in GTA 6?
  2. Will GTA 6 still use wanted stars?
  3. Could witnesses and social media affect your wanted level?
  4. How will you escape the police in GTA 6?
  5. Will different regions have different police?
  6. FAQ

The GTA 6 wanted system has not been detailed by Rockstar, but the trailers show plenty of police action, from chases on Leonida's highways to arrests caught on camera. Based on that footage and on Rockstar's past games, we expect a smarter and more reactive police presence than in GTA 5.

Everything below separates what is visible in trailers from what we expect.

What do the trailers show about police in GTA 6?

The official trailers include:

  • Police chases through city streets and along highways.
  • Convenience store robberies carried out by Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
  • Getaways by car and by boat.
  • Arrests and police encounters shown through in-game social media clips.

That is enough to know police are a major part of the world, even if the rules are still unknown.

Police officers stop a group of partygoers on Ocean Drive at night
Police on Ocean Drive at night.

Will GTA 6 still use wanted stars?

We expect so. The star system is one of the most recognisable parts of Grand Theft Auto, and it seems unlikely Rockstar would drop it entirely. It may be tweaked, with more stages or clearer signals about how close police are to finding you.

Could witnesses and social media affect your wanted level?

This is one of the most interesting possibilities. GTA 6 has busy crowds and an in-game social media layer, so it seems likely that bystanders could film crimes or report them. Rockstar has experimented with witness systems before, and a world this crowded is a natural place to push that further.

Our GTA 6 social media page covers what the feeds look like in the trailers.

Jason behind a chain-link fence, lit red and blue by police lights
Jason hiding from the police.

How will you escape the police in GTA 6?

If it follows GTA 5, breaking line of sight and hiding will still matter. Leonida adds a lot of new options. The Grassrivers swamps, the open water around the Keys and long bridges all look like great places to lose a tail.

We expect boats to play a bigger role in escapes than ever, which fits the coastline shown in every trailer. See our GTA 6 boats guide for more.

Will different regions have different police?

Leonida is a whole state with cities, small towns and wilderness, so a mix of police types would make sense. We expect city police in Vice City, different patrols in rural areas and perhaps water-based patrols near the coast. Cal Hampton's habit of listening to Coast Guard radio hints that the coast is watched, but nothing is confirmed.

FAQ

Does GTA 6 have a wanted level?

Rockstar has not detailed it, but police chases appear in every trailer. We expect a wanted system similar to past games, likely with improvements.

Can witnesses report you in GTA 6?

It is not confirmed. With dense crowds and in-game social media, we think witnesses are likely to matter more than before.

Can you escape police by boat in GTA 6?

The trailers show boat getaways, so it looks very likely. Leonida's coast and swamps should offer plenty of routes.

Is the GTA 6 police system harder than GTA 5?

We will not know until launch. Most fans expect smarter police given the game's focus on realism.

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