Jason and Lucia's relationship in GTA VI is up to you: how the bond system works

One of GTA VI’s most novel systems revolves around the relationship between its two protagonists, according to Red Bull’s summary of what was shown in the Extended Look and the preview sessions. Jason and Lucia live together, but how close they become is largely up to the player. Spending time together - driving around Leonida, shopping, working out at the gym or visiting the hairdresser - strengthens their bond, and even small gestures count: holding hands or opening doors for each other. On the flip side, regularly ignoring your partner’s messages can strain the relationship.

A bad relationship doesn’t break the story: Jason and Lucia still have to work together, though certain missions and situations change depending on how close or distant they are. According to Rockstar there are no direct in-game bonuses for a happy relationship; the system is meant mainly as a role-playing mechanic, letting each player decide what the two are to each other.

Character swapping ties into this system too: you can switch between Jason and Lucia at any time in the open world (except in some story sections), call or text your partner to meet up when you’re out on your own, and even swap roles while driving, so that in the middle of a car chase you can shoot from the passenger seat while your partner takes the wheel.