GTA 6 Cut Grocery Shopping Because It Was Too Realistic, Rockstar Confirms

Rockstar Games has shed more light on GTA 6's design choices, confirming that a grocery-shopping feature originally planned for protagonists Jason and Lucia was cut from the game because it was deemed too realistic. Speaking to Famitsu, as translated by GamesRadar, Rockstar's Rob Nelson explained that the studio experimented with letting players buy groceries, bring them home, and replenish an in-game fridge. The system did not make the final build.

"At one point during development, we were experimenting with a system that would allow you to buy groceries to restock the fridge," Nelson said. "We had specifications for stores with groceries that you could buy and take home, and the fridge could be replenished. However, because this would have complicated the mechanics, we had to simplify it." According to the report, Rockstar cut the feature because it did not align with the studio's ideas for balancing "realism and ease of play."

The removed system would have tied into GTA 6's new eating mechanics. Players can gain weight based on how much they eat and can hit the gym to bulk up, with physical appearance and stamina profiles directly tied to those choices. A gas station mechanic, however, is staying.

YouTuber TGG, who visited Rockstar and saw the game in action, said players can pull up to a gas station to refuel vehicles, with refueling costing little and taking roughly 10 seconds, complete with its own animation. TGG also confirmed that cars can be repaired at gas stations. TGG added that Nelson acknowledged the refueling and recharging system might be divisive, but Rockstar is keeping it, and that it is meant to encourage strategic thinking. Preparing for a robbery, one of the ways to make money in the game, is given as an example, with players expected to fuel up before a getaway.

For context, GTA 5 gives cars unlimited fuel by default, though puncturing the gas tank drops the fuel to zero. PC mods exist that add a more realistic refueling system.

GTA 6 launches November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The base edition costs $80, while a $100 Ultimate Edition includes additional in-game content.