Rockstar devs had freedom to add wild details to GTA 6 like RDR2 horse feature
Developers working on Grand Theft Auto 6 had a surprising amount of creative freedom, according to a report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier covered by IGN. The report states that the team added countless small details on their own initiative, to the point where not even top executives at Rockstar know everything hidden in the game.
Schreier cites a quote from Rockstar's Aaron Garbut, who said, "There's no one person that has this whole thing in their head." This approach mirrors the development of Red Dead Redemption 2, where now-famous features like horses' testicles shrinking in cold weather were added simply because a developer had the time and idea, not because it was a planned item on a list.
The report also details some development struggles. The team reportedly spent a long time trying to replace the classic weapon wheel with new systems involving trays or webs, but ultimately reverted to the original design. Furthermore, between 2019 and 2022, the project hit some rough patches as the team grappled with merging the more simulation-style feel of Red Dead with Grand Theft Auto's arcade action.
Some designers left during this period before the vision solidified in early 2023. Artists have been on the project since 2015, with location scouting trips to Miami beginning that same year. GTA 6 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026.
