RDR2 NPC schedules in a city of millions? I'll believe it when I see it.

RDR2's routines worked because the world was tiny. A few dozen villagers. Valentine had maybe 30 people. Now they're promising the "most systemic NPCs ever" across a whole metro area. Sure.

Scaling that to Vice City's density is a technical pipe dream. I expect the same 3 scripted loops we've always had. Maybe a few showcase NPCs for the trailer. The rest will be window dressing.

The one thing that would sell it for me: a street food vendor who actually closes up at night, walks home, and I can follow them. Not a teleport. Not a despawn. A real commute. That's the bar. What's yours?

A real commute.

That's the bar. Without it, Lucia's running through another pretty backlot.

The commute idea seems like the hardest possible stress test for the engine. I'd be happy if they just managed persistent vendor stalls that restock on a timer without despawning the owner. Do you think grouped pathing for NPC clusters could fool us at sidewalk distance?