GTA 6 is bringing back a fan-favorite gameplay feature after 18 years: Here is what you should know about it

GTA 6 is set to bring back a fan-favorite feature after 18 years in one of the game’s most requested changes. Rockstar games confirmed the feature would return in the game’s extended look released in August 2026, with fans considering it to be the best games of the series released till now.

The next edition of the game will restore the wanted meter back to six. The meter was trimmed to five for the Grand Theft Auto 5. The game’s wanted system was originally represented by four police heads, representing the severity of the crime committed by the player. The system then evolved into the iconic star system. The six-star wanted system was last seen in Grand Theft Auto 4 and GTA Chinatown Wars in 2009.

According to IGN, a single star would result in some beat police officers investigating a collision or breaking up an unarmed fight. However six stars would attract a fully militarised police force. The system has changed and evolved in each edition of the game.


GTA reportedly dropped the number of stars earlier to streamline the system and also match the five in the fifth edition’s title.

How does GTA 6’s wanted star system work?

The system is undergoing a massive change in the upcoming GTA 6. Unlike other previous editions, where cops forgot about a player once they lost the wanted stars, police will now remember the crimes committed by them.

Police will be able to build a player’s profile using several aspects. They will be able to use the location of the crime committed, the physical appearance of the player, their clothes, vehicle, and the weapons they used. Police will also use CCTV footage and any companions the player had when the crime was committed.

The more information cops have on a player, playing either as Jason or Lucia, the more likely they are to identify them. According to the extended look players will be able to reduce the risk of being identified by leaving areas where police activity remains high and wearing disguises such as masks.

According to the extended look, police will now only respond to a crime if it is reported or an alarm is triggered. These situations can be a result of witnesses calling the police over the crime, an alarm being activated during a robbery. It can also arise if a stolen vehicle containing a tracker reports itself. The player's wanted level can now also change colours.

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GTA 6 to get several new features

The next edition of the game set to be released on November, 19 2026 will bring a trove of features for players. These include an instant switch between the two protagonists of the game, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, who is the series’ first ever female-lead. The game also features a relationship between the protagonists, which the player will have to manage and evolve through game play, including the time they spend with each other.

The game makes disguises a useful tool for the gameplay. With this, getting a haircut would clear the player’s physical description present with the police, and switching into different outfits can lower the risk of getting identified. The two protagonists also make it possible for the player to continue the gameplay even if one is caught.

The extended look also showed a small halo or devil horns that signify a karma system. Both positive and negative karma can be earned through gameplay actions such as petting a dog or robbing a store.