For years, the streets of Los Santos have felt less like a crime drama and more like a sci-fi warzone, but in GTA 6, Rockstar is reportedly stepping away from flying vehicles.
If you have spent any time in a public lobby recently, you know the frustration of trying to run a simple mission while dodging lock on missiles from a flying vehicle. It changes the entire vibe of the game, turning a grounded open world into a chaotic FFA where strategy barely matters.
But according to new reports, Rockstar might be hitting the reset button.
The latest leaks suggest that GTA 6 is moving away from flying vehicles entirely. The developer is reportedly aiming to cut the jet bikes, laser weapons, and flying cars that defined the later years of GTA Online. Instead, the focus is shifting back to where the series started: grounded crime, gritty car chases, and street-level chaos.
This would be a massive pivot. It suggests a tone closer to the weight and realism of Red Dead Redemption 2 rather than the arcade-style escalation we see now.
For many fans, this is the best news possible. The introduction of weaponized fantasy vehicles disrupted the risk and reward balance of free roam. When one player can cross the map in seconds and rain down explosives without touching the ground, competitive play loses its edge.
By removing these tools, the game forces everyone back to the tarmac.
A getaway driver actually has to drive, instead of a quick escape in a flying vehicle. A shootout requires positioning and aim rather than just waiting for a beep. It makes the world feel dangerous again in a way that feels fair.
If this approach holds true, the next entry could revive the competitive spirit of the franchise. Grounded gameplay makes map knowledge and driving skill the deciding factors in a fight. It brings back the tension of a five-star chase where you have to outsmart the AI or other players, rather than just flying over them.
We are still waiting to see the official vehicle roster, but the direction is promising. It looks like the franchise is ready to trade the gimmicks for the classic, heavy-hitting action that defined it in the first place.