GTA 6 Is Shaping Up to Be Rockstar's Most Explicit Game Yet

GTA 6 keeps getting new details almost every day, and the latest information gives you a much clearer idea of how far Rockstar is pushing things this time around. With the official PEGI rating now confirmed, more details have surfaced about why the game has received an 18+ rating, and some of them go well beyond what was possible in GTA 5.

The PEGI rating itself wasn't much of a surprise. GTA 6 was always expected to receive an 18+ rating, but the specific reasons behind it are what make this one particularly interesting. According to the rating information summarized by Rockstar Intel, GTA 6 will include strong violence, sexual content, drug use, strong language, and in-game purchases.

One of the biggest changes involves drugs.

In GTA 6, cocaine can apparently be carried around by your character and used directly from their hand at any time. That is a notable step up from previous GTA games, where drugs were generally tied to missions, cutscenes, or other specific situations.

The game is also being rated for strong sexual themes, including nudity, scenes of intercourse, and occasional scenes involving sexual fetishes. Rockstar has included sexual content in previous GTA games, so its presence in GTA 6 isn't exactly unexpected. GTA 5 already had several examples, including Trevor's introduction after the prologue, but the new rating suggests Rockstar is taking things further this time.

Nightclubs are also returning with more interactive features. In certain clubs, you can apparently pay for private dances, and the game lets your character interact physically with the dancers. This is another area where GTA 6 appears to be pushing the level of detail beyond what was seen in GTA 5.

The rating information also mentions animals.

Domestic animals will be present throughout the environment. The player can harm them, although the injuries shown on animals won't have the same level of detail as those inflicted on human characters. Human enemies, meanwhile, can suffer considerably more graphic injuries, including decapitations.

That means the game's violence is expected to be particularly detailed. The difference between human and animal injuries also makes sense considering how often you will encounter pets and other domestic animals around the world, especially while exploring neighborhoods and walking around with characters.

The rating also covers language, with GTA 6 featuring frequent strong language. Some of the more extreme terms will only appear occasionally. The overall level of language appears similar to GTA 5, despite the game's higher ratings in other areas.

Discriminatory language can also be heard through the game's television programs and radio stations. Rockstar has previously used fictional media to explore the darker and more satirical sides of its worlds, and GTA 6 appears to be continuing that approach.

The Australian Classification Board provides an even clearer breakdown of the game's content.

While PEGI simply lists violence, sex, drugs, and in-game purchases, the Australian rating separates the individual categories into different classifications. Themes receive an MA15+ rating, while violence is classified as R18+. Language is also rated at 15+, whereas drug use receives an R18+ classification. Nudity is listed as MA15+, while sex receives the higher R18+ rating.

The violence rating isn't particularly surprising, given the amount of gore already shown or reported for GTA 6. What stands out more is the difference between the game's nudity and sexual content ratings. 

That distinction suggests that the most explicit material may be connected more directly to sexual situations rather than simply the presence of nudity. Some of the footage that has already surfaced also suggests that Rockstar isn't taking a conservative approach to the game's adult content.

Compared with other Rockstar games, GTA 6 appears to be taking another step forward.

Its themes are reportedly rated similarly to both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, while its violence is rated higher than both. Language and drug use remain closer to what you saw in GTA 5, but sex is where the biggest difference appears.

Cyberpunk 2077 provides another useful comparison. GTA 6 reportedly shares the same violence, nudity, and sex ratings as CD Projekt Red's game. Cyberpunk 2077 was already known for being extremely open with its adult content, so GTA 6 matching those classifications gives you a pretty good idea of where Rockstar is taking things.

This also puts to rest speculation that Rockstar might be holding back with GTA 6. Rockstar games have often been criticized before release by people claiming the studio has lost its edge, but the current rating information suggests the opposite.

If anything, GTA 6 looks set to be the most graphic GTA game Rockstar has made.

Away from the rating details, there has also been some disappointing news surrounding an interview with Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser. A GQ writer revealed that an interview with Houser had originally been planned and had reportedly been in the works for almost four years.

The interview was apparently discussed behind the scenes for a long time, but it has now fallen through due to personal reasons on Houser's side. That's unfortunate for anyone hoping to hear directly from one of the most important figures behind the GTA series.

Houser has remained extremely private for years. He has made very few public appearances or given interviews, particularly since the release of GTA 5. Even during the Red Dead Redemption 2 era, he rarely appeared in the media, leaving fans to rely on the occasional photograph taken by someone who happened to meet him.

The same is largely true of Dan Houser, despite his departure from Rockstar. Dan has only become more visible in interviews in recent years, several years after leaving the company. Rockstar will likely continue relying on other senior developers as the public faces of GTA 6.

Names such as Rob Nelson and Aaron Garbut are expected to be much more visible during the game's promotional campaign. That would fit Rockstar's approach of keeping its most senior figures relatively low-key while letting developers directly involved in the project discuss the game.

There is also plenty of attention surrounding the upcoming LOVE Magazine feature.

The magazine is expected to contain a large collection of new GTA 6 information, including developer interviews and additional screenshots featuring Jason and Lucia. The feature could provide another significant look at the game following the recent Game Informer coverage.

The biggest issue is that the magazine appears to be released physically rather than digitally, at least initially. The issue is expected to hit newsstands in France, meaning much of the information will likely reach the wider internet through photographs taken by people who manage to get copies first.

That could make the first few hours after the magazine becomes available particularly interesting. Fans will likely share photos of the pages online, giving everyone else a chance to piece together the new information before an official digital version becomes available, if one eventually does.

Two additional screenshots from the LOVE Magazine feature have already surfaced. One shows Jason and Lucia together around a pool table, giving another look at both characters and their appearance. Another image shows Jason riding a motorcycle while carrying what appears to be a pistol with detailed engravings.

The motorcycle itself has drawn attention because of the level of detail Rockstar has put into it. Vehicle customization has already been one of the more interesting aspects of GTA 6, and these screenshots continue to show just how much visual detail has gone into the game's world.

Another screenshot shows Lucia smoking a cigarette while carrying a bag. That bag is particularly interesting because it could connect to the game's robbery and loot mechanics. It could be a duffel bag used during certain activities, or it could indicate that characters can physically carry bags and other equipment around the world.

More information could appear in the LOVE Magazine feature, especially given the number of developer interviews and screenshots expected to be included.

Taken together, all of these details continue to paint a picture of a GTA game that is considerably more detailed than its predecessors. From how characters interact with the world to how it handles weapons, vehicles, drugs, sexual content, violence, and even everyday objects, Rockstar appears to be emphasizing physical interaction and realism.

The game's 18+ rating is therefore more than just a formality. Classifications from various rating boards show that GTA 6 takes several things further than GTA 5. The most noticeable differences are the violence and sexual content.

GTA 6 will likely remain the center of attention. As Rockstar continues to drop pieces of the game, LOVE Magazine can expect more information. The next coverage will hopefully bring more information about Jason and Lucia, the game's world, its mechanics, and maybe some of the systems hidden until now.

By now, the rating info itself has given you a pretty good idea of what Rockstar is going for. GTA 6 isn't only reviving the familiar open-world formula. It's taking the series' levels of detail even further, and the game's adult content appears to be a significant part of that strategy.