Jason’s Backstory is a Great Excuse to Feature One Mechanic

While the long wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 has only extended thanks to the recently announced delay for the title, the hype surrounding the kind of experiences that the project will eventually bring is showing no signs of fading any time soon. After so much mystery and debate surrounding the game, fans now have two comprehensive trailers that detail the lives and personalities of its two main characters, with Jason and Lucia already shaping up to be fascinating protagonists with a unique bond.

A lot of recent attention has understandably been placed on Grand Theft Auto 6‘s Jason thanks to his prominent role in the title’s second trailer, with the trailer supposedly being composed of equal parts cinematic sequences and raw gameplay. From what is known of Jason from the trailer as well as the character profiles that Rockstar released in tandem with it, it seems clear that Jason will be acting as a debt collector and enforcer throughout some of the game’s story, with this being the perfect opportunity for Rockstar to reintroduce a similar kind of territory control mechanic that GTA has featured in the past.

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One famous portion of Red Dead Redemption 2 could be fitted into and expanded on in Grand Theft Auto 6 to make it a more robust feature.

Jason’s Story Could Provide Untold Gameplay Benefits Through a Territory Control Mechanic

While Lucia and Jason may find themselves entangled in a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style relationship throughout the events of Grand Theft Auto 6‘s story, the online character profiles that Rockstar released on the game’s official website paint more of a picture of their earlier lives. While Lucia owes her upbringing to the mean streets of Liberty City, Jason’s earlier life was defined by a brief stint in the army, with many signs pointing towards his experience in a specialized combat role.

Rumors around a remaster or updated port of Grand Theft Auto 4 have recently picked up a lot of steam, with some fans hoping that this kind of project might give players their first glimpses or references of Lucia due to the game’s Liberty City setting.

The character profile for Jason paints a clearer picture of his connections to Brian Heder, another major character in GTA 6, who acts as Jason’s mentor and unofficial employer. In exchange for payment and rent-free living, Jason is shown in the second trailer for GTA 6 shaking down businesses to collect money that is owed to Brian, with this seemingly being the initial foothold that Jason has in the criminal web of Vice City.

It seems likely that Rockstar will allow players to stick up and rob stores throughout GTA 6, but these kinds of shakedowns for Brian Heder should come with some distinct gameplay benefits that exist away from standard robbery. As the player helps Brian Heder expand his criminal enterprise through shakedowns of more clients across Vice City and beyond, territorial boosts could be given to increase control across GTA 6‘s map.

Territory Control in GTA 6 Would Be a Logical Extension of the Franchise’s Past

2004’s San Andreas possesses one of the most famous examples of territory control in Grand Theft Auto‘s past, with the player being able to systematically take over control of neighborhoods through gang warfare, increasing the overall presence of the Grove Street Families. While it seems that GTA 6‘s story will not be as gang-centric as San Andreas, consistent shakedowns of areas could offer more subtle territory control while granting players a level of passive income that would need to be maintained.

Additionally, territory control could be used to directly weaken rival criminals in their own pursuit of expansion, with successful control then potentially opening up unique missions and interactions with Brian Heder and beyond. The confirmed game world of Grand Theft Auto 6 already seems massive, meaning Rockstar has a big task ahead of itself in terms of making this map feel alive and full of content, and a territory control system that offers narrative and mechanical benefits could be an excellent addition to the anticipated project.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Systems

Released

May 26, 2026

Engine

Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE)

Xbox Series X|S Release Date

May 26, 2026