GTA 6 Beginner's Guide: What to Know Before You Start

GTA 6 is out on November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and it's a bigger, slower and more demanding game than GTA 5. Here's what to know before you start: how the two characters work, why the police are smarter, why money matters from the first hours, and a few things to set up before launch night. We'll expand this guide with the best tips players share after launch.

Before launch night

• Pre-load from November 12 so you can play the moment it unlocksReported15. digitalcitizen.life — GTA 6 preloads begin on November 12 for digital and physical code copies. Our pre-load guide has the details.
• Check your unlock time. It's midnight in your store region, not the same moment everywhere: see the release time in every time zone.
• Bought the box? It's a download code, not a disc. Read our physical edition guide before launch day.
• Don't expect online. GTA 6 is a single-player game at launch, with no GTA 6 Online lobbies. See our GTA 6 Online guide.

Two characters, but not free switching at first

You play as Jason and Lucia, and you can switch between them much like GTA 5's character swapReported2. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. But switching is tied to story progress, so you won't have it freely from minute oneReported2. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. Some missions also lock you to one characterReported2. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. Full details in how to switch between Jason and Lucia.

The police are smarter: think before you act

This is the biggest change for GTA 5 veterans:

• A crime has to be seen or set off an alarm before the police get involved. Check for witnesses and cameras before you act.
• The wanted meter goes up to six stars.
• Losing your stars isn't the end. Being wanted and being identified are separateReported5. gtabase.com — GTA 6 wanted level explained: police system guide, and police track you by what you're wearing. If you escape, change your clothes and your car before heading back out.

Our wanted level and heat guide explains every part of the system.

Money matters from the start

In GTA 6, money isn't just for fun. Rockstar has said making money is mandatory, and the story can slow down or stop until you reach certain cash goals. You'll make most of it from crime: robbing stores, gangs, banks, jewellery shops and transport vansReported8. tweaktown.com — GTA 6's illicit criminal economy, robberies and money explained by Rockstar.

Tip: keep your money in the bank. Reports say your bank balance is safe and stays with you if your character diesReported6. gtabase.com — GTA 6 will let you rob almost any store7. gtabase.com — How to make money in GTA 6: full money making guide, so don't walk around with a big pile of cash. More in our heists and money guide.

Your phone is a real object

Jason and Lucia physically take the phone out of their pocket to use it. One thing to know: because they're hiding from the authorities, they can't publicly post photos to Snapmatic. Every app reported so far is in our phone and apps guide.

Leonida is huge: don't rush

GTA 6 is set in Leonida, Rockstar's version of Florida, split into six regions from Vice City to Mount Kalaga, with no loading screens between them. The main story alone is expected to take around 80 hoursReported12. thegamer.com — GTA 6 story takes 80 hours to beat, so there's no prize for rushing. Start with our map regions guide.

Side activities are worth your time

Some activities have real benefits. Playing basketball raises your Focus stat, and gym workouts build health and staminaReported14. igrandtheftauto.com — GTA 6 side activities detailed: gyms, fishing, basketball, hunting, racing and more. See every one confirmed in our side activities guide.

Something not working?

If the game won't start, a download is stuck or your items are missing on launch night, check our live launch problems tracker.