GTA VI will feature an expanded NPC interaction system from Red Dead Redemption 2, although Rockstar Games feared that its implementation would slow down the rest of the development.
Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier shared the details after visiting the studio. The first prototype of the mechanic was created in 2014–2015 by Vice President of Animation Mark Tennant. Instead of immediately aiming at a stranger, the player could greet them or intentionally provoke them into a conversation.
Technical Director Phil Hooker was hesitant to show the demo to Rockstar North head Rob Nelson for a long time. He knew that Nelson would be so captivated by the idea that he would demand its full-scale implementation, regardless of the cost. And so it happened: after seeing the demonstration, Nelson called the system revolutionary.
After its successful appearance in RDR2, the studio is further developing the idea. According to Nelson, in GTA VI, the reactions of residents will become more diverse: even eavesdropping on a street conversation will arouse curiosity in some, and clearly anger others.