How to Switch Between Jason and Lucia in GTA 6

GTA 6 has two playable leads, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, and you'll be able to switch between them. But not whenever you like, at least not at first. Here's what Rockstar has said about how switching works. We'll add the exact button and the mission where it unlocks on launch day.

The short answer

• Yes, you can switch between Jason and Lucia, in a way Rockstar compares to GTA 5's character swapReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible.
• It's limited by the story. You won't have free switching from the very startReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible2. pcgamer.com — GTA 6's story is too important for Rockstar to let you swap between Lucia and Jason whenever you want.
• Some missions lock you to one character, while others let you choose freelyReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible.

What Rockstar has said

The clearest explanation came from Rob Nelson, co-studio head at Rockstar North, in an interview with Japanese magazine FamitsuReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. He said switching works much like it did in GTA 5, but that it's tied to story progressionReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible2. pcgamer.com — GTA 6's story is too important for Rockstar to let you swap between Lucia and Jason whenever you want.

Nelson explained that some story moments are designed to be played as one specific character, while other missions leave the choice completely up to youReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. He gave an example: an early mission set in a high-rise was changed so that Jason takes the lead, because it felt more natural for a former soldier to be in control there than LuciaReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible.

Switching during missions

Some missions are built around switching. In one police chase shown in footage, you shoot as Jason, and the game then swaps you to Lucia at the wheel with a short transitionReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. Previews describe swapping between the two as seamless during gameplayReported3. techradar.com — New GTA 6 details reveal the ability to seamlessly swap between Jason and Lucia during gameplay.

Why you can't switch freely at the start

GTA 6 is built around Jason and Lucia's story as a couple, and Rockstar wants certain scenes experienced from a particular point of viewReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible. That's why switching opens up as the story progresses rather than from minute oneReported1. mein-mmo.de — GTA 6 offers two characters to choose from, but Rockstar says choosing won't always be possible2. pcgamer.com — GTA 6's story is too important for Rockstar to let you swap between Lucia and Jason whenever you want. If you want to know more about the two leads, read our Jason and Lucia guide.

Still to confirm on launch day

We'll update this guide with:

• The button to switch on PS5 and Xbox
• The mission where free switching unlocks (without major spoilers)
• Whether you can switch while wanted by the police
• Whether Jason and Lucia share money, weapons and vehicles
• What the other character does when you're not controlling them

GTA 6 launches on November 19.