The rumour mill surrounding Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated GTA 6 continues to churn, and this time, it’s a recently unearthed patent that’s got fans speculating about a significant leap forward in character movements. As reported by a keen-eyed YouTuber known as CYBER BOI, a newly approved 88-page patent filed by Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, suggests that character animation of in-game avatars.
While we are still waiting for the second official trailer of the game, potential features of the upcoming game are being revealed on a regular basis, thanks to numerous leaks. This particular patent appears to be deeply integrated with Rockstar’s proprietary RAGE engine and focuses on advanced character animation. However, this isn’t simply about smoother running animations; the implications point towards a system capable of dynamically generating animations for characters of vastly different sizes and builds, influencing how they move, behave, and interact with the sprawling world of Grand Theft Auto.
Historically, Grand Theft Auto titles have relied on motion capture using real-life actors. This meant that creating animations for characters outside the “average” range in terms of height and weight required finding individuals who matched those specific physiques for motion capture sessions. This approach inherently limited the diversity of character models achievable within the game.
However, this new patent describes a system where the RAGE engine could automatically generate these animations, effectively breaking free from the constraints of traditional motion capture for diverse body types. The potential outcome? Players will notice authentic movements of their characters depending on their height, weight, and overall physique in Grand Theft Auto VI, and the game’s engine would ensure that these uniquely proportioned characters still move and act in a believable manner.
The implications of such a system are rather exciting. As CYBER BOI suggests, this level of customisation could inject a similar unpredictable energy into the game as seen in heavily modded versions of The Sims 4, albeit with the added ingredients of high-speed chases and illicit activities.
While Rockstar Games remains tight-lipped about official details and the elusive second trailer, this patent offers an intriguing glimpse into the technological advancements being implemented behind the scenes for Grand Theft Auto VI. It hints at a commitment to pushing the boundaries of character interaction and player agency, suggesting that when it finally arrives, the level of control players have over their virtual selves could be unlike anything seen before in the series. The prospect of such detailed character customisation certainly adds another layer of anticipation to an already highly awaited title.
