Shooting details revealed in the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer have sparked discussion among players. Some speculate that the new title may no longer use instant-hit hit detection, instead adopting physical ballistics with projectile travel time. Rockstar has not yet disclosed the specific workings of its weapon system.
The discussion centers on a shotgun sequence. Some players pointed out visible pellet spread and the process of pellets traveling toward the target at long range. They believe this differs from the instant hit calculation method used in Grand Theft Auto V.
Players further speculate that the projectiles in Grand Theft Auto VI may have a fixed flight speed, drop over distance, and potentially involve penetration effects through different materials. These are all inferences based on existing footage and have not yet been confirmed by Rockstar.
Some participants in the discussion also mentioned similar mechanics in Max Payne 3 and explored whether Red Dead Redemption 2 used comparable ballistic physics. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026.