GTA 6 lets players refuel cars and charge . . Rockstar responds to striking new feature

GTA 6 seems to be a further step in the realism field. Players will not only have to repair their vehicles, they will also have to consider fuel or battery on the way. Rockstar North-co-studio boss Rob Nelson knows, however, that not every player needs such an extra piece of realism.

Anyone who drives through the streets of Vice City can't keep going forever. In Grand Theft Auto VI vehicles shall be effectively refueled or recharged according to new information.

This gives vehicle management a greater role than in previous GTA games. Moreover, service stations are not only intended to obtain fuel: players can also get damaged vehicles repaired.

Tanking becomes a short quick-time event

When you arrive at a gas station, you get different options. Besides repairing your vehicle you can choose to refuel. In the case of electric vehicles, it would be charging instead.

Rockstar didn't simply press the button to refuel. Once the player selects the option, a short one starts quick-time event of about ten seconds, while an animation of refueling is played on the screen.

The system fits with the greater emphasis on detail and realism that GTA 6 seems to get. At the same time, such an everyday act can cause discussion. Where one player will appreciate more immersion, another can see it as something that gets the tempo out of the gameplay.

Rockstar knows that not everyone will be enthusiastic

Also Rob Nelson, co-studio boss of Rockstar North, seems aware that the new feature can share views.

When asked why Rockstar chose to add the mechanics, Nelson reversed the question and referred to the possible response of players.

“We'll see what people say. Do you think people will like it?”

— Rob Nelson, co-studio boss of Rockstar North, via TheGamer

The reaction suggests that Rockstar is also curious how players will look at the system. A mandatory tank moment can make GTA 6 more realistic, but at the same time it is a significant change compared to previous parts, in which fuel management played hardly any role.

More realism in GTA 6

The tank and charging system shows how far Rockstar seems to want to go with the interaction between players, vehicles and the world of GTA 6.

Whether it eventually becomes a popular part of the gameplay or a mechanism that players want to skip as soon as possible will probably only become clear when millions of players themselves get behind the wheel.

What do you think? Makes mandatory filling GTA 6 more realistic and fun, or is it going to be especially irritating?