GTA VI robberies get a major upgrade: CCTV, safes and three types of money

Robberies in GTA VI are more varied and flexible than ever, according to Red Bull’s summary of what was shown in the Extended Look and the preview sessions. You can attempt to rob almost any shop you walk into, from petrol stations and convenience stores to jewellery shops, banks and criminal compounds. Armoured vans offer smaller scores, while larger targets appear on the map with an estimated payout, so you can weigh risk against reward before going in.

No two heists play out the same: every location differs in entrances, CCTV cameras, safe locations, staff and customers. Staff, security guards and even customers can fight back, and safe codes can be found on the spot or obtained from a fence. Even the smallest robbery demands more interaction: emptying the till at a petrol station means bagging the cash one note at a time. The getaway matters too: many buildings have several exits, and the police may set up a perimeter around a shop you’ve robbed in case you come back.

The money system has been revamped with three types of funds: bank balance (safe, managed through the BuckMe app), cash (lost if you die or get arrested, so regular ATM deposits are worth it) and loot carried in duffel bags, which only becomes spendable money once you sell it to the right fence, each specialising in categories like cars or jewellery. Since those contacts unlock as the story progresses, you can end up holding valuable loot before you can sell it. Rockstar wants money to stay meaningful for the whole playthrough: at certain story points you’ll need a specific amount to progress, a strong reason to take on activities beyond the main storyline.