GTA VI almost had four protagonists: Rockstar dropped the idea to avoid diluting the story

After the trio of Michael, Franklin and Trevor, the question inside Rockstar North was inevitable: was it time to go up to four? Rob Nelson, the studio’s co-head, confirms it in his exclusive interview with IGN: the team genuinely considered it before deciding GTA VI would have two protagonists.

The reason for holding back was player time. “We’re quite conscious to try and make sure that players have enough time with each character,” Nelson explains. Splitting the campaign across four voices would have diluted that bond, the exact opposite of what a story built around a couple needs.

The final bet is the one you already know: Jason and Lucia, two criminals who work as individuals and as a unit. Nelson admits chemistry was the hard part - it either exists or it doesn’t - and that the team worked that angle hard until they felt the two clicked both separately and together.

It is a decision consistent with what the studio had already told us about Jason and Lucia’s relationship and it fits the roster in our confirmed characters guide. The full interview is part of IGN’s exclusive coverage after visiting Rockstar North’s offices in Scotland.