Rockstar Says Skipping GTA 6's Romantic Elements Is Fine: 'Don't Bother With It. Up to You'

In a recent interview with IGN, Rob Nelson, head of development and co-studio head at Rockstar North, discussed the design philosophy behind making Jason and Lucia's relationship central to the story but not mandatory for gameplay. Nelson stated, "I have to say it feels great — if you are into it as a concept. Don't bother with it if you aren't. Up to you." While the duo will always support each other during the narrative and action sequences, players have the freedom to nurture their bond or ignore it entirely, with no penalties for skipping the romantic aspects.

Nelson elaborated, "The narrative is structured in such a way that the circumstances they find themselves in require them to stay together for most of the story and work together. At the very least they will get through most things as partners in crime." He also hinted at the creative challenge, saying, "I don't want to say too much more about this because I don't want to spoil anything. It really adds a compelling element to things, and it's one of the reasons we wanted to approach this sort of story, because it's completely different for us. Could we bring some sort of emotional resonance to GTA for people if they wanted to engage with it? Could we also provide mechanisms for people to just opt out of it if they're not into it? If they feel like, 'I don't want a relationship in this?' That's what we're going to find out. It's not something that we want to foist upon players."

For those who do want to spend quality time together, the expansive map of Leonida offers plenty of activities. Nelson listed examples: "Robbing places together, or walking around, holding hands, going to a zoo, studying animals, going scuba diving, parachuting, walking on the beach, kayaking…" He added, "When you bring them together, it feels like you're a steward of their relationship, and you feel protective of them as a unit. But this is something we did not know when we started, and it really had to be something we felt our way through. But I will say that whether you're getting in trouble, or you're running from the cops, or getting in a car, or waiting for the other one — playing as them together feels very cool. It feels like you're taking care of them, if that's something you're into."

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19.