GTA 6 will launch on November 19. The game's dynamic weather system will interact with the open-world environment. Storms will not only alter the scenery in local areas but also affect pedestrian reactions, boat navigation, and aircraft flight.
Aaron Garbut, co-head of Rockstar Studios, explained that unlike Grand Theft Auto V, which primarily presented weather as overall states such as sunny or rainy, the new title adopts a more detailed system. Players may experience sunshine in their immediate location while seeing storms forming or moving in the distance; as they approach, the surrounding environment will gradually change, rather than having the weather switch uniformly across the entire map.
When the weather changes suddenly, crowds will scatter to seek shelter. Wind will affect not only trees but also clouds and ocean waves. Islands and buildings can block wind for certain water areas, meaning boats may glide smoothly or rock significantly depending on their position, with specific conditions influenced by the surrounding terrain and building layout.
Aircraft will also interact with storms. Planes entering a storm will encounter turbulence, and prolonged exposure may cause minor damage. Garbut stated that these effects result from the interaction of multiple fine-grained systems.