How GTA 6 should start?

[Collibosher]

When you gain the control of the protagonist for the first time, should it happen like in GTA 4&5; in a mission? Or should you have the possibility to try out and get a feel of the controls in a less restricted environment, look around first and begin the story when you feel like it? (at the expense of some epic intro mission)

 

I find it a bit awkward to "learn" the shooting and driving immediately, during some fast paced intro missions like in GTA V, with free roam only two missions later

 

GTA IV had more relaxed "sightseer" game start

 

Get on the bike, or don't, it's an open world game after all!

[GhettoJesus]

I have always preferred Vice City's and San Andreas's approach. It's just nice to look around and get a feel for the city with the method of transportation of your choice. What's even more awkward about V's start, aside from what you have mentioned, is that the first time you start the game you are immediately thrown into the mission. No main menu, no nothing.

Edited June 6, 2021 by GhettoJesus

[Middle Class Roadman]

I personally dont mind being thrown into missions straight away - I thought the introductory mission in North Yankton was one of the best parts of the game. You can always go exploring after you complete them.

[Thomas Cavendish]

I think it is already a pattern.
RDR2 was the same. A confined area, totally linear, tutorials, but it was slow paced. I see no problem, it was really into the story.
I think the crazy insane online generation won't like, but IMO it's fine.

[The Tracker]

GTA IV and RDR1: Arrival in a big, modern city on boat.

 

GTA V and RDR2: Escaping from the law in the snow.

 

GTA VI and RDR3: Prison break?

Edited June 7, 2021 by The Tracker

[Zello]

 

Protagonist getting released from prison and then getting back into the flow of things.

[GhettoJesus]

On 6/6/2021 at 6:00 PM, Thomas Cavendish said:

RDR2 was the same.

I wouldn't look for a pattern yet because in a sense RDR2 is a much more story oriented game (and much more linear) than any GTA game.

[The Tracker]

49 minutes ago, GhettoJesus said:

I wouldn't look for a pattern yet because in a sense RDR2 is a much more story oriented game (and much more linear) than any GTA game.

 

Linear in what sense? Storywise it is less linear than 3D era games, mission desing wise it's less than GTA V.

[GhettoJesus]

2 minutes ago, The Tracker said:

Linear in what sense? Storywise it is less linear than 3D era games, mission desing wise it's less than GTA V.

Nah the missions are scripted as f*ck in RDR2. I don't wish to go into it since this isn't the appropriate topic but I maintain that RDR2 mission design is linear apart from a few superficial choices in missions.

[The Tracker]

3 hours ago, GhettoJesus said:

Nah the missions are scripted as f*ck in RDR2. I don't wish to go into it since this isn't the appropriate topic but I maintain that RDR2 mission design is linear apart from a few superficial choices in missions.

 

They are way less scripted than GTA V's.

Edited June 8, 2021 by The Tracker

[rjmthe2nd]

A long cutscene Intro that explains enough to kick off the story and then free roam immediately starts, like VC.

[BabaFamilias]

I like the intro of GTA V the most, because it takes like 10-20 seconds and you are in the game. You can immediately control your character without sitting through a long cutscene and get a quick feel of the basic mechanics, new features, aiming, etc. It is like a appetizer for what you get later in the game. But I also don't mind other approaches. 

[ganked89]

Start with the character running with people shooting at him from behind, then the camera pans behind him and you gain control and start mashing X (PS) while a message tells you run to your car and get your guns. 

 

While running you double click the analog stick and the doors open and you dive straight through the car from the passenger side, hiding behind the car you press Left button and whip up the weapon wheel (which now is the trunk like horses in rdr2).

 

Edited June 25, 2021 by ganked89

[GTA-Biker]

I prefer the way 3D era games and GTA 4 started.You have the freedom to roam around for a while and get to know the controls and driving physics,and the first few missions are easy stuff (stealing a car, beating someone up, getting a weapon, robbing a store or a fast food place, some small shootout, etc.) that introduces you to the story and lets you learn how the game works,before later missions get harder.I didn't like how GTA 5 throws you right in the middle of a robbery and makes you participate in a big shootout and a car chase,while you're still trying to figure out the controls, weapon selection and driving physics.

[rjmthe2nd]

14 hours ago, ganked89 said:

Start with the character running with people shooting at him from behind, then the camera pans behind him and you gain control and start mashing X (PS) while a message tells you run to your car and get your guns. 

 

While running you double click the analog stick and the doors open and you dive straight through the car from the passenger side, hiding behind the car you press Left button and whip up the weapon wheel (which now is the trunk like horses in rdr2).

 

 

In another thread I had an idea similar to this

 

It'd start in Colombia at a Cartel leaders compound in the middle of a jungle area, a shootout occurs and we'd have to run through the trees while avoiding gunfire before jumping into a river

 

 

 

[BabaFamilias]

On 6/25/2021 at 5:56 PM, rjmthe2nd said:

It'd start in Colombia at a Cartel leaders compound in the middle of a jungle area, a shootout occurs and we'd have to run through the trees while avoiding gunfire before jumping into a river

 

©Naughty Dog

 

[Sonic10]

I think it should start in the 80s vice city and then after a few missions it says like 40 years later and we play in a modern era vice city 

[.Sharingan]

I prefer the VC style. A long well made cutscene and then freeroam.

 

And what people are forgetting about V is that the intro mission is necessary for the story. There is no other point in time to get to know Brad and the fact that Trevor and Michael know each other from way back etc. 

[wise_man]

I prefer a basic start: an introduction cutscene, then a driving tutorial or you are free to explore (like in SA).

 

On 6/8/2021 at 10:56 AM, Zello said:

 

Protagonist getting released from prison and then getting back into the flow of things.

That would be nice. The protagonist is released from prison alone, after years locked behind the bars. Now, you can go around freely or check your old safehouse/friends.

[Tez2]

Maybe trying to sell drugs to a gang with an companion, but things goes south and a shootout occurs which allows you to get a feeling on the shooting?

Edited June 28, 2021 by Tez2

[TheSantader25]

I personally think we're not babies anymore. I mean sure in the previous GTAs all the concept was still pretty fresh and new so it made sense to slowly introduce the player to all the info.

 

But now it's not the same. We all know what the ammunation does. Everyone knows what a clothing store does. No need to dedicate an entire mission introducing each one alone. So I don't think the pace of GTA IV or 3D GTAs is really gonna do it in today's gaming.

 

But I do like to jump into the open world straight away like San Andreas. That's something I like returned. I hate linear stuff in the beginning.

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by TheSantader25

[stayprivee]

Your character will be on the border of Georgia and Florida, on a mission to smuggle drugs into Vice City. Out of nowhere, a truck smashed into your car and you’re knocked unconscious. Your character faintly awakens for a slight second to see 2 groups fighting, then unconscious again. 
 

Your character wakes up, hands tied in the back of a carriage. 
 

“Hey, you! You’re finally awake.

 

you were trying to cross the border right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us and that thief over there!”

 

Todd Howard did it again.

[The Tracker]

On 6/28/2021 at 3:40 PM, TheSantader25 said:

I do like to jump into the open world straight away like San Andreas. That's something I like returned. I hate linear stuff in the beginning.

 

Idk about that, but GTA SA literally threw us so many missions at the start, that, while not linear, locked us several stuff in the world before we had to do them, mainly interiors, most of them were not only unable to be interactable with, they weren't even accessible, I think GTA IV could be a better example of that, where after arriving in Roman's apartament, we are free to explore Bohan/Dukes area completely, allowing us to enter some bussinesses and interiors before they even show them to us.

Edited July 2, 2021 by The Tracker

[LeakyLine]

You start off doing something illegal in 2006 in a one-off area outside the normal playable map. You get busted, locked up, then get out of prison in the playable map in modern day.

 

Fast forward a few real life months and Rockstar patches out the glitch to return to the intro area in GTA Online 2 because no fun allowed.