Rockstar North has redesigned the police system in GTA 6. Instead of immediately forgetting targets once they leave sight, the police will remember characteristics such as clothing and vehicles, continuing to use this information to identify players even after their wanted level disappears.
Blogger TGG explained these changes in a gameplay mechanics breakdown. Rob Nelson, co-head of Rockstar North, stated that the team aims to change the situation where players are immediately forgotten after shaking off the police, giving law enforcement a more persistent memory.
To implement this design, the game introduces a new mechanic called "Heat." A special icon appears below the wanted level indicator, displaying the information the police have gathered about the player. Officers may remember the character's clothing or record the vehicle being driven.
According to TGG, even if players successfully escape the police's line of sight during a chase, they may still be recognized later due to identical appearances or vehicles. To reduce the likelihood of being identified, players need to change their clothes or switch to a different vehicle.
The minimap during pursuits has also changed. Unlike previous entries in the series, police are no longer directly displayed on the radar. Players can no longer simply evade tracking based on vision cones on the minimap and must actively observe their surroundings.
Players can still use the "Focus" ability to track police positions. This ability reveals officers behind walls, providing information to help evade pursuit, but you can no longer rely on the minimap to confirm all officer locations under normal circumstances.