GTA VI First Steps Guide
Essential Controls • Starting Safehouse • Surviving Your First 24 Hours in LeonidaImportant Note (as of September 7, 2026):
Grand Theft Auto VI has not been released yet (official launch is November 19, 2026). This guide is based on confirmed information from Rockstar’s trailers, the August 2026 “Extended Look,” developer interviews, and reliable previews. Controls, exact locations, and systems may still receive final adjustments.
1. Essential Controls (Confirmed Changes)
Rockstar has made some notable control updates compared to GTA V:
| Action | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X|S | Notes |
|-------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------|
| Sprint | L3 (Left Stick Click) | LS (Left Stick Click) | No more spamming X/A |
| Jump | × / A | A | — |
| Take Cover | L1 / LB | LB | More fluid than GTA V |
| Interact / Enter Vehicle| △ / Y | Y | Contextual |
| Weapon Wheel | Hold L1 / LB | Hold LB | — |
| Character Switch (Jason ↔ Lucia) | Hold Down on D-Pad | Hold Down on D-Pad | Available most of the time when together |
| Phone | Up on D-Pad | Up on D-Pad | Central hub for map, contacts, apps |
| Handbrake (Driving) | × / A | A | Changed so you can freefire while driving |
Tip: Spend the first 10–15 minutes in the pause menu → Settings → Controls to fully review and customize.
2. Starting Safehouse Location
Leonida Keys Safehouse (Key Lento)
- This is the first safehouse you get.
- It is a green stilt house / beach house on the water in the Leonida Keys (the island chain south of Vice City).
- Belongs to drug runner Brian Heder. Jason lives there rent-free in exchange for helping with debt collections and local jobs.
- Lucia joins Jason here early in the story.
- Features: Save point, change clothes/hair (basic), store a few personal vehicles, interactive objects, and other characters coming and going (more like Red Dead Redemption 2 camps than old GTA safehouses).
How to use it early:
Always return here to save manually after big scores. Deposit cash when possible so you don’t lose everything if you get busted or wasted.
3. How to Survive Your First 24 Hours Without Getting Busted
Phase 1: Opening Hours (Leonida Keys)
- Follow the early story hustles for Brian Heder (debt collection, simple deliveries, low-level jobs). These act as the tutorial and give you free housing + starting money.
- Learn the dual-protagonist switch early — practice swapping between Jason and Lucia.
- Do not rush into Vice City or high-profile crimes yet.
Phase 2: Basic Survival Rules
- Cash management is critical. Carried cash can be lost if you are Busted or Wasted. Deposit money at the safehouse or find early banking options as soon as they become available.
- Wanted system is smarter. Police can recognize you by face, clothing, and vehicle.
→ Change clothes after crimes.→ Switch or abandon hot vehicles.→ Break line of sight (parking garages, alleys, off-road) instead of just outrunning cops.
- Start with small, low-heat activities: convenience store robberies, street hustles, and story missions.
- Steal a practical, ordinary-looking car early (not flashy) for better blending.
Phase 3: First Day Priority Checklist
- Complete the opening Brian Heder jobs
- Fully explore the starting safehouse and learn its features
- Master basic movement, shooting, driving, and character switching
- Do 2–3 small robberies or side activities for extra cash
- Return to the safehouse and save
- Avoid 3+ star wanted levels until you understand the new recognition system
Golden Early-Game Rule:
Play the story and low-stakes activities first. The Leonida Keys are designed as a softer introduction zone. Once you have money, a reliable vehicle, and understand the new wanted system, then expand into Vice City.
