GTA 6 side activities, gym, fishing and the Jason-Lucia relationship
Gym stats, fishing, diving, mini golf, pool, racing and a relationship that changes with how you play. Daily life in GTA VI, according to the press previews.
GTA VI isn't just about heists. The press previews published between August 27 and September 3, 2026 spent a lot of time on Jason and Lucia's daily lives: hitting the gym, eating, sleeping, fishing and going out together. Outlets including IGN, Famitsu, The New York Times and El País, plus creators such as TGG, Kinda Funny and Rubius, reported it after watching Rockstar North's Rob Nelson play. A caveat: many creator details come from their memory of the demo.
Jason and Lucia, a couple that looks after each other (or doesn't)
The relationship is the heart of the story, and a gameplay system too:
- You can switch characters in the open world, as in GTA V, except at certain story moments, and call the other one along for activities, jobs or downtime (IGN, Famitsu).
- They text each other, and ignoring messages hurts the relationship. Shopping, working out, exploring or robbing places together strengthens it (IGN).
- You can check the relationship's status. A strong bond unlocks holding hands and kissing; a weak one removes them, but it can be repaired (Famitsu).
- Romance is optional and gives no gameplay bonuses, but the relationship can affect the story (IGN). Rockstar wanted to avoid a "naggy" partner (Kinda Funny).
- When you're not controlling them, each one follows their own routine (Famitsu).
They can share a safehouse, which changes by chapter, much like the camps in Red Dead Redemption 2 (Famitsu).
Gym, food and sleep
GTA VI brings back GTA San Andreas's changing body, with more nuance:
System | How it works | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
Gym | Trigger-based minigames: three exercises then rest; repeat over three days to improve health and strength. Membership required | Famitsu, The New York Times, TGG |
Stats | Health, Cardio, Fitness, Stamina and Strength | Famitsu |
Body | Build muscle by training, gain weight by overeating; not as exaggerated as San Andreas | IGN, Kinda Funny, Zeit |
Food and drink | Temporary stat boosts; protein shakes make workouts more effective | Famitsu, Zeit |
Sleep | Optional, but skipping it causes eye bags and slower regeneration | Kinda Funny |
Rockstar even tested stocking the fridge with groceries, but simplified it because it got too fiddly (Famitsu). Hair and beards don't grow on their own (Flow Games): you can trim them at home, but new styles are bought at the salon (IGN).
Confirmed activities
- Pool, mini golf, basketball (with manual aiming, per TGG) and backyard wrestling.
- Fishing, very detailed but catch-and-release, and hunting to make money (TGG).
- Scuba diving with an oxygen meter and shipwrecks with treasure, confirmed by Nelson (Flow Games), kayaking, skydiving and paragliding between skyscrapers (El País).
- Street, circuit and off-road racing, plus monster trucks (The New York Times, TGG).
- A zoo for studying animals, and a wildlife log like Red Dead Redemption 2's (IGN).
- Nightclubs, watching TV at home (including an adult animated sitcom made by an outside studio, per Kinda Funny) and petting dogs with treats bought at convenience stores (The New York Times).
What won't be there, per the previews: a full tennis minigame (you can pick up a racket and hit a ball, but that's it), skateboarding, cut for time, and surfing (The New York Times, Flow Games). Rockstar admits there are fewer minigames than GTA V, because each one has to meet the bar (Flow Games).
Our take
It's the most RPG-like GTA yet, and that may split players: some will love looking after their characters, others will see it as chores. The good news is that, according to the previews, almost all of it is optional. What's interesting is how it all connects: working out together boosts the relationship, the relationship shapes the story, and the money you make on the side funds your robberies and car theft. We'll play it on November 19.
