5 reasons why GTA 6 won't be a toned down Grand Theft Auto game

The next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA 6, is set to release next year. Fans are mostly optimistic, but there is a section that is a bit concerned about the game likely being toned down in comparison to past installments. The are some interesting reasons behind this concern, one of the major ones being the departure of Dan Houser, Lazlow Jones, and a few other veterans from Rockstar Games.

However, there are also reasons to believe that this wouldn't end up being the case. So, in this article, we will be taking a look at five reasons why GTA 6 won't be a toned-down Grand Theft Auto game.

Note - This article is subjective and only reflects the writer's opinions.

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Here are five possible reasons why GTA 6 won't be a toned down Grand Theft Auto game

1) The series is known for pushing boundaries

A screenshot from the mission By The Book (Image via Rockstar Games)

Grand Theft Auto games have always featured edgy jokes and a sense of humor that some may find offensive. Certain gameplay moments too, as most fans would know, have pushed past what one would expect on many occasions, such as the infamous torture sequence in GTA 5 story mission - By The Book.

In a nutshell, this is what the Grand Theft Auto series is known for and it wouldn't make sense for it to be dialed back in what is arguably its biggest installment ever.

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2) Controversy has had an opposite effect

The Grand Theft Auto series has been under fire since its inception for violent gameplay and content. Its installments have been linked with countless controversies, and Grand Theft Auto 3 even got banned in Australia, only released thereafter some changes.

However, these things have hardly affected the series' global popularity. The official GTA 6 trailer's release was not only a major event in the gaming community, but in mainstream media to some extent as well. Therefore, it doesn't seem like Rockstar would look to tone the sequel down just to avoid controversy.

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3) Would be bad for gameplay

It is no secret that Grand Theft Auto's gameplay can get pretty violent at times. Even outside of story missions, players can wreak havoc in several ways. This is what sets this series' titles apart from other video games that also offer somewhat similar elements.

Being toned down might, hence, hurt GTA 6's gameplay. Needless to say, that is something fans don't want to see and Rockstar would likely also want to avoid.

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4) The trailer suggested so

The GTA 6 trailer had many such whacky moments (Image via Rockstar Games)

The visual effects, Vice City' return, Lucia, and her partner were all major talking points of the first GTA 6 trailer when it was released. That being said, another significant highlight of the video was the social media parodies, that were featured in plenty.

And if those whacky incidents being advertised at the forefront of the next Grand Theft Auto game is anything to go by, then it doesn't look like it will be toned down.

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5) Sam Houser hasn't left

Veterans like Dan Houser, Lazlow Jones, and Leslie Benzies leaving Rockstar is unfortunate, and a big reason why some fans are a bit worried about GTA 6 being toned down. However, it should be noted that Sam Houser is still at the company. The co-founder, and now president, has been just as instrumental in crafting some of the best Grand Theft Auto games.

Additionally, former lead writer at Rockstar Games, Michael Unsworth, has mentioned Grand Theft Auto 6 in his list of projects on his LinkedIn page. This should also relax fans worried about GTA 6's story and gameplay being toned down to some extent.