No question, GTA VI is not only the most highly anticipated game of 2026, but it’s also easily one of the most hyped games in recent years, if not all time. There’s a good chance that even a non-gamer family member is well aware of the upcoming Rockstar Games title.
With Great Hype Comes Great Responsibility
However, when a game is hyped to the extent of GTA 6, especially from a reputable developer like Rockstar Games, fans’ expectations are through the roof. For example, anything less than a 10/10 might cause community outrage, let alone less than a 9/10. It’s probably one of the reasons Valve is too scared to release Half-Life 3.
So, how can Rockstar Games deliver on those expectations to ensure that GTA 6 is an even greater success than GTA V? For starters, retail leaks have potentially revealed an incredible social media mechanic that could result in in-game content going viral, and NPCs are said to have their own routines. Both of which sound incredible.
GTA 6 Could Look to a Legendary 2004 Release for Inspiration
That being said, it’s perhaps a feature from 2004’s GTA: San Andreas that might cause even more excitement with fans. GTA: San Andreas is widely considered to be one of the best games in the series due to its action, exploration, side missions, huge open world and lush visuals, for its time.
GTA: San Andreas also had some innovative features for the series, such as being able to change the lead protagonist’s (CJ) body on the fly. Depending on how much iron CJ would pump at the gym, how many chicken burgers he’d gobble up at the Cluckin’ Bell or nothing of the sort, he could be muscular, overweight or slim.
Jason’s Muscles: The Clue That Has Fans Talking
Now, it looks like this classic feature could be making a comeback. After Rockstar released a new batch of screenshots to celebrate pre-orders going live, fans noticed a striking difference in protagonist Jason’s physique.
In one screenshot, Jason appears noticeably more muscular – with bulging biceps, triceps, traps, and back. In another, he looks much more average. The observation led to speculation that Rockstar may be bringing back a fitness or bodybuilding system similar to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, where CJ’s physique changed depending on how players exercised and ate.
“This image seems to confirm the fitness/bodybuilding mechanic in GTA 6,” claimed Redditor LickitySplit4.
“To me, it was confirmed with Jason lifting weights on the beach,” added syntheticgeneration, pointing to a moment in the May 2025 trailer showing Jason throwing up some heavy weight on a bench in Vice City.
Fan playb0y4L, who first highlighted the muscle difference on X, noted that “lighting and camera angles can amplify the differences, but in this case (as he believes) ‘the difference seems too significant to ignore.'”
More Than Just Aesthetics: Gameplay Implications
If this system does return, it could have deeper implications than just cosmetic changes. Players speculate that Rockstar is implementing a significantly improved version of the dynamic weight change system that was previously used in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Characters’ physical fitness is expected to directly impact key gameplay stats. Being overweight or muscular could alter their maximum stamina, movement speed, melee attack power, and even animation style. Players expect the transformation to occur gradually, requiring them to monitor their characters’ diet and exercise.
Beyond the impact on physical performance, audiences are hoping for the integration of social consequences. There’s talk of NPCs on the streets of Leonida reacting uniquely to protagonists’ extreme thinness, obesity, or prominent musculature.
Hair Growth and Beyond
“Look at the details on that tricep, damn,” said one thirsty fan.
“Looks like maybe your hair will also grow naturally over time, too? So you have to get haircuts every so often, like in real life,” replied immortalsol. This idea certainly makes sense, because Red Dead Redemption 2, released in 2018, had something similar.
“There has to be a weight/muscle system in the game; it’s so rudimentary that there’s no way it isn’t in the game. Like with hair growth, they’ve got some good systems now, especially after RDR2,” explained Ramaloke. “I think we will be surprised by the number of things we can do in the game, even beyond some of our outrageous expectations.”
A Word of Caution
Of course, we can only speculate what gameplay features will be in GTA 6. None of this confirms anything, and Rockstar has said absolutely nothing about a fitness mechanic. Two screenshots are hardly enough evidence to reverse-engineer a feature.
However, as one outlet pointed out, the underlying idea isn’t remotely far-fetched. Grand Theft Auto has experimented with player-driven physical changes before. And given the long development cycle and the project’s scale, fans are expecting one of the most sophisticated body adaptation systems in the interactive entertainment industry.
Also, Read
- GTA 6 60 FPS Mode Teased As Fans Doubt Over Advanced Tech
- GTA 6 Confirmed As Cheapest Franchise Entry To Date In Unexpected Turn Of Events
- GTA 6 Disc Editions Hopes Crushed By Rockstar Source – No Physical Disc, Not Even Months After Launch
Hopefully, all might be confirmed in the third trailer, whenever that might drop.
Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on 19 November 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The PC port is yet to be announced.