For several years now, fans of the famous Grand Theft Auto video game franchise have been eagerly awaiting the release of GTA 6. And it seems that Rockstar, the studio behind the series, has ambitions just as high as gamers’ expectations. Recently revealed information about GTA 6’s game engine hints at an even more immersive and realistic gaming experience. According to French media outlet Rockstar Mag, which relayed internal information from the studio, the engine used in GTA 6 will be an enhanced version of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine, also known as RAGE. This version, dubbed RAGE 9, promises to bring major changes in terms of physics and lighting, offering a whole new gaming experience. One of the most eagerly awaited improvements concerns water physics. Thanks to real-time simulation, players will be able to enjoy realistic waves and precise physical reactions to every movement of the water. This feature opens the door to new gameplay possibilities, such as surfing, although this has not yet been officially confirmed. This improvement in water physics also suggests that the ocean will feature prominently in the next game, in line with persistent rumors locating the action in Vice City. The RAGE 9 engine will also introduce more realistic time management, with complete day and night cycles. Players will thus be able to enjoy real mornings and evenings, offering total immersion in the game’s universe. Lighting will also be enhanced with physically simulated lighting, a first in the GTA saga. Textures will react more realistically to light, creating an even more striking atmosphere in Vice City’s sumptuous settings. Weather conditions will also play an essential interactive role in the game’s environment. Gusts of wind will disrupt vegetation and create lifelike waves, bringing added realism to the game’s beaches. Rain and wind will also affect vehicle handling at high speeds. These visual enhancements, according to Rockstar Mag, will be even more impressive than those already seen between GTA V and Red Dead Redemption II. In addition to visual improvements, the RAGE 9 engine will also enable significant changes to vehicle physics. An increase in the number of polygons compared with GTA V will enable more precise deformations during car crashes, delivering more realistic scenes. What’s more, vehicle customization will go beyond the exterior, with the possibility of modifying certain elements that will have a direct influence on driving. Installing a spoiler, for example, will improve handling, especially in stormy weather when gusts of wind can influence the vehicle’s trajectory at high speed. Despite these improvements, Rockstar does not wish to turn GTA 6 into a racing simulation game, so gameplay will remain resolutely arcade-like. Finally, artificial intelligence (AI) will also be improved in GTA 6. Interactions with non-player characters (NPCs) will be more advanced, offering a more immersive gaming experience. Similarly, police behavior will be more authentic, immersing players in a world where the inhabitants of Vice City will react more logically to their actions. While all this information is to be taken with a grain of salt, it seems credible and comes from internal sources at the studio. Fans of the GTA series can now look forward to the release of GTA 6, rumored for the end of next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqF3R1_JFfg
