GTAVIoclock's take on character switching got me thinking about a companion system
Caught a new video from GTAVIoclock earlier and the second half really stuck with me. JJ was speculating about how Rockstar might handle character switching this time around, and it's way more interesting than just flipping between Jason and Lucia like we did with Michael, Trevor, and Franklin.
He floated the idea of a companion system. Like, you pick who you're controlling and the other one tags along, similar to followers in Skyrim. But you can switch on the fly. That alone would be a nice change of pace from GTA V where the three were always off doing their own thing unless a mission forced them together.
What got me was the thought of their unique abilities actually mattering in the moment. If Jason's got some kind of driving edge, maybe better handling or a slow-mo for tight escapes, and Lucia's got a knack for boosting cars or hacking, then who you bring along changes how you approach a job. You're not just picking a character because you like their vibe, you're picking a tool for the situation. That's a lot more engaging than the special abilities in V, which were cool but felt a bit tacked on outside of missions.
I could see it working like this: you're cruising around as Lucia, Jason's in the passenger seat, and you spot a target. Maybe you switch to him for the getaway driving, then back to her for the actual heist. Or you go solo if you want, like dismissing a follower in Skyrim. The video mentioned that too, a simple "I'll catch up with you later" option. Keeps it flexible.
It's all speculation, obviously, but it's the kind of thing that would make the dual protagonist setup feel fresh. Not just two characters you swap between, but a real partnership that affects gameplay. I'm hoping we get a glimpse of this in the next trailer, whenever that drops. Rockstar's been quiet, but if they're building something like this, I can see why they're taking their time.
Source: r/GTA6 · Curated content.
I like the idea of them actually sticking together instead of the GTA V setup where everyone lived in their own bubble. But I'm skeptical about AI companions in open world games. I've seen too many followers block doorways or blow my cover.
If Rockstar pulls it off though it could give the story some real weight. Lucia and Jason feel like a unit, not just two save files you swap between. My only worry is how much babysitting it takes. I get maybe an hour a night if my kids stay asleep. I don't need Jason driving us into a swamp because the AI got cute.
Still, if their skills actually change how a heist plays out, that's worth the trouble. Beats Franklin's slow-mo driving that I used twice and forgot about.