Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to be Rockstar’s most immersive open world yet, but the studio says realism will never come at the cost of enjoyment. In a new interview with Love magazine, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson explained that the team deliberately balances authenticity with convenience.

“Sometimes you need things to feel realistic to help with that sense of immersion,” Nelson said. “Conversely, sometimes you need to forego realism in favour of what will be most convenient for the player—realism can help greatly with immersion, but too much can feel tedious.”

That philosophy is visible in GTA 6’s vehicle refueling system. Players will need to keep Jason and Lucia’s vehicles fueled, but Rockstar has designed the process as a brief, painless interaction rather than a lengthy chore. Nelson joked that it is quick enough that players should not have much to complain about, while acknowledging that the team will watch player reactions closely.

Other systems did not survive development. Rockstar previously tested a more detailed grocery-shopping mechanic that would have let Jason and Lucia buy food and restock their refrigerator at home. Nelson said the feature created unnecessary complications, so the studio simplified it: eating and restaurants still matter, especially alongside the game’s health and fitness systems, but players will not need to manage a fully stocked fridge.

The approach reflects Rockstar’s broader design goal: make Vice City and the wider state of Leonida feel alive without turning daily life into a simulation. Nelson said the studio includes real-world details when they strengthen immersion or storytelling, and leaves out elements that do not serve the experience.

GTA 6 follows Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, two lovers caught in a criminal conspiracy across Leonida, Rockstar’s satirical take on modern Florida. The studio says its research trips through Miami, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys helped shape a world designed to feel specific, varied, and believable—without becoming a checklist of everyday responsibilities.