GTA 6 beginner guide
Whether GTA 6 is your first Grand Theft Auto or your tenth, here is how to be ready for launch, where the story begins, and the newcomer tips that carry over from past games. The full early-game walkthrough follows once the game is out.
Be ready for launch day
Free up storage in advance, pre-load if you bought digital so it unlocks instantly, and update your console the night before. Our launch-day checklist and storage checklist walk through each step.
Where the story starts
GTA 6 follows a criminal couple. Lucia Caminos opens the game leaving a Leonida prison, determined to make smarter moves; Jason Duval comes from a life around grifters and drug runners in the Keys. You do not need to have played GTA 5. See the story overview and the full cast.
Newcomer tips that carry over
These hold true across modern GTA games and should apply to GTA 6: save often and use the in-game phone, take it slow early to learn driving and combat, explore the map for side content, and watch your wanted level, since police pursuit ramps up fast. We will replace these with GTA 6 specific tips once the systems are confirmed.
Thinking about online
A successor to GTA Online is widely expected but not yet announced. If you are planning for it, the GTA 6 Online hub tracks every confirmed and leaked detail.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play GTA 5 before GTA 6?
No. GTA 6 is a new standalone story in a new place (Leonida) with new leads, Lucia and Jason. You can start fresh.
How does GTA 6 start?
The story follows Lucia Caminos, who opens the game leaving a Leonida prison, and Jason Duval, who comes from a life around smugglers in the Keys. They become a criminal couple.
When can I get the full GTA 6 beginner walkthrough?
At launch on November 19, 2026. Detailed early-mission tips depend on playing the game, so we publish the full walkthrough then.