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GTA 6 GLOSSARY

Every term, acronym, and slang you need to know before stepping into Leonida.

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A
Ammu-Nation
The in-game gun store franchise found throughout GTA games. Players buy weapons, ammo, and attachments here. Expected to return in GTA 6 across Leonida.
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
The system governing how NPCs behave, including police response, pedestrian reactions, and traffic patterns. GTA 6's AI is expected to be a major upgrade over GTA V's.
B
Blip
An icon on the in-game minimap representing a mission, point of interest, player, or objective. Different colors and shapes indicate different types of content.
Bonnie and Clyde
The criminal couple archetype that Jason and Lucia's relationship is modeled after in GTA 6. Rockstar has explicitly referenced this dynamic in marketing.
C
Crossplay
The ability for players on different platforms (PS5, Xbox, PC) to play together online. Widely expected for GTA 6 Online.
Crew
A group/clan of players in GTA Online who team up for missions, heists, and activities. Crews persist across sessions and have leaderboards.
D
DLC (Downloadable Content)
Additional content released after launch, either free or paid. GTA Online has received hundreds of free DLC updates since 2013. GTA 6 is expected to follow a similar model.
Drip-feed
Rockstar's strategy of slowly releasing new vehicles, weapons, and content over weeks rather than all at once. Keeps players coming back and maintains engagement metrics.
Dual Protagonist
The ability to switch between two playable characters. GTA V had three (Michael, Trevor, Franklin). GTA 6 has two: Jason and Lucia.
E
Easter Egg
A hidden secret, reference, or joke placed in the game by developers. GTA games are famous for elaborate Easter eggs — from UFOs to Bigfoot.
Euphoria Physics
The physics engine used alongside RAGE that creates realistic character animations and reactions. When NPCs stumble, fall, or get hit by cars, Euphoria makes each reaction unique.
F
Free Roam
Exploring the open world without following a specific mission. GTA's sandbox gameplay is built around the freedom to free roam at any time.
FPS (Frames Per Second)
How smoothly the game runs. 30fps is the baseline for consoles; 60fps is the performance mode target. PC can go higher. GTA 6 is expected to offer 30fps quality and 60fps performance modes.
G
Garage
Storage locations for personal vehicles. GTA 6 will likely expand the garage system with property-linked storage, boat docks, and helipads.
Griefer
A player in GTA Online who intentionally ruins other players' experiences by repeatedly killing them, destroying their cargo, or disrupting their gameplay. A persistent community issue.
GTA$ (GTA Dollars)
The in-game currency used to buy vehicles, properties, weapons, and cosmetics. Can be earned through gameplay or purchased with real money via Shark Cards.
H
Heist
Multi-stage co-op missions in GTA Online requiring 2-4 players to plan and execute elaborate robberies. GTA Online's most popular content type. GTA 6 Online will launch with next-gen heists.
HD Universe
The continuity/era of GTA games starting with GTA IV (2008). GTA 6 exists in the HD Universe, meaning it shares the same fictional world as GTA IV and V.
I
In-Game Phone
Your character's smartphone, used for receiving mission calls, browsing the in-game internet, taking photos, activating cheats, and accessing apps. Central to GTA's UI since GTA IV.
L
Leonida
The fictional state where GTA 6 is set, based on Florida. Contains Vice City (Miami), the Keys, Grassrivers (Everglades), Port Gellhorn, and rural interiors. The largest GTA map ever.
Lucia Caminos
One of GTA 6's two protagonists. The first female playable character in a mainline GTA game. Described as calculated, fearless, and a survivor.
Los Santos
The Los Angeles-inspired city from GTA V and GTA San Andreas. GTA Online's primary setting for 13 years.
M
Minimap
The small map in the corner of the screen showing your immediate surroundings, blips, and waypoints. Essential for navigation.
Modder
Someone who creates or uses modifications (mods) to alter the game. On PC, mods can enhance graphics or add content. In Online, modding is often used for cheating.
N
NPC (Non-Player Character)
Any character controlled by the game's AI rather than a player. Pedestrians, shopkeepers, police officers, and mission characters are all NPCs.
Next-Gen
Refers to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S hardware. GTA 6 is a next-gen exclusive — it will not be available on PS4 or Xbox One.
O
Open World
A game design where players can freely explore a large map without being confined to linear levels. GTA pioneered the modern open-world genre with GTA III.
P
Passive Mode
A GTA Online setting that makes you immune to player attacks (and unable to attack others). Used to explore peacefully without being griefed.
Protagonist
The main playable character(s). GTA 6 has two: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
R
RAGE Engine
Rockstar Advanced Game Engine — Rockstar's proprietary game engine powering GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and GTA 6. Each generation brings major improvements in graphics, physics, and world simulation.
Ray Tracing
An advanced graphics technique that simulates realistic light behavior — reflections, shadows, and global illumination. Expected in GTA 6, with enhanced options on PC.
Rockstar Games
The developer and publisher of the GTA franchise. A subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, headquartered in New York with studios worldwide. Led by Sam Houser.
S
Sandbox
A game that provides tools and a world for players to create their own fun, rather than strictly following missions. GTA is the quintessential sandbox game.
Shark Card
Real-money purchasable currency cards for GTA Online. Named after shark species (Bull, Great White, Megalodon). Generated billions in revenue. A successor system is expected for GTA 6 Online.
Stunt Jump
Ramps and launch points scattered across the map that trigger a slow-motion cinematic camera when hit at speed. Completing all stunt jumps is a common completionist goal.
T
Take-Two Interactive
The parent company of Rockstar Games. Publicly traded (TTWO). Also owns 2K Games (NBA 2K, Civilization). Their financial guidance often provides hints about GTA 6's timeline.
Trailer
An official video preview of the game released by Rockstar. GTA 6 Trailer 1 dropped December 2023, Trailer 2 in January 2025. Trailer 3 is expected in 2026.
V
Vice City
GTA's fictional version of Miami, Florida. Featured in GTA: Vice City (2002) set in the 1980s, and now returning in GTA 6 in a modern-day setting as part of the larger state of Leonida.
W
Wanted Level
The star-based police response system. 1 star = local cops, escalating to 5 stars = military/NOOSE response. Evade pursuit or survive the onslaught. A core GTA mechanic since the original game.
Weapon Wheel
The radial menu for selecting weapons during gameplay. Introduced in GTA V, allowing quick access to your full arsenal organized by category.
New to GTA? Start with Everything We Know for the complete GTA 6 overview, or explore the GTA Timeline for full franchise history.