NPCs will snitch if you're carrying a weapon in public, NYT preview says

Saw the GameSpot writeup on the NYT preview and one line jumped out at me. Apparently if you're walking down the street with a shotgun or a rocket launcher out, NPCs will call the cops on you. That's a pretty big shift from every other GTA.

In GTA 5 you could sprint through downtown LS with an RPG on your back and nobody cared. Maybe a pedestrian would scream if you aimed at them, but just carrying it? Nothing. Now it sounds like just having the weapon visible is enough to get a wanted level started.

The quote from the NYT piece says you can't whip out a shotgun or rocket launcher and walk down the street without expecting NPCs to call the police. So it's not about firing it, just holding it. That's wild.

I'm already thinking about how this changes the flow. Do you have to holster your weapon every time you leave a mission? Is there a concealment system like RDR2 where you can tuck a pistol but not a rifle? The source doesn't say, but it's the kind of thing that could make free roam feel way more tense.

Also curious if this applies everywhere or just in certain areas. Vice City is a big tourist spot, maybe cops are more on edge there. Or maybe it's the whole map. Either way, I'm not mad about it. More realistic NPC behavior is something I've wanted for years.

What do you all think, is this a good change or is it going to get annoying fast when you just want to mess around?

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Source: GameSpot · Curated content.

I'm fine with NPCs that actually notice things. GTA 5 pedestrians were furniture with legs.

But I've got maybe an hour before my kid needs algebra help. If I'm stopping to holster after every fight just to walk to my car, that's eating my whole evening.

furniture with legs

Exactly. Those NPCs broke the illusion every time. If Leonida actually reacts to Lucia and Jason like they live in a real place, that tension becomes part of the story. I'll take the extra second to holster if it means the world stops feeling like a theme park.

gonna be huge for rp servers. right now we need player cops and strict server rules just to stop people running around with carbines in town. if the base game handles it systemically, thats less admin work.

just hope the holster animation isnt clunky. in a heated shootout you dont wanna be stuck fumbling while someones blasting you.

eat my whole evening

Real talk. Finish a job and you're tryna get back to the garage. Now you gotta holster before you even hop in your ride?

I'm mostly worried about car meets. You pull up to a spot with a piece out and some rando dials 911? Could ruin a whole CRUISE. In GTA 5 you could stunt through town and the vibe was chill. Now Leonida might feel like a POLICE state.

Still if the world actually breathes I'm down. Just don't make the holster LAG like RDR2. I'm here to TUNE not to wait.