GTA 6 replaces “wait for the stars to fade” with a police report you have to shake off. According to Rockstar’s Edge preview, the police track what they know about you, shown as icons at the top of the screen: your description, your partner, your clothes, CCTV and your weapon. Remove those clues and you get harder to find. On top of that the official Extended Look shows a six-star wanted level, and the Edge demo added stinger strips and a K-9 unit. Here is how it fits together and what it means for how you play on November 19.
GTA V vs GTA 6: the police at a glance
| GTA V | GTA 6 | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanted levels | Five stars | Six stars | Official Extended Look footage |
| How you escape | Leave the search area, wait | Remove the clues in the police report, then get out of sight | Rockstar via Edge |
| What police know | Your last seen position | Description, alone or with partner, clothes, CCTV, weapon | Rockstar via Edge |
| Pursuit tools | Roadblocks, helicopters | Stinger strips laid by radioing units, K-9 dogs, helicopter searchlights | Rockstar via Edge |
| Carrying a gun in public | Mostly ignored until you aim | People react to how you carry it; some challenge you | Rockstar via Edge |
| Stolen cars | Rarely tracked | Newer expensive cars can carry trackers; owners may call it in | Rockstar via Edge |
| Morality | No system | Criminal Profile shapes the story | Rockstar via Edge |
The heat system, clue by clue
Rockstar via Edge Edge describes the icons as “effectively showing the contents of the police report you are trying to outrun”. Each clue has a matching counter-move:
| Clue police hold | How to remove it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two suspects seen | Split up from your partner | Rockstar via Edge |
| Clothing description | Change clothes | Rockstar via Edge |
| Weapon seen | Drop the weapon | Rockstar via Edge |
| Physical description | Not explained yet | Unconfirmed |
| CCTV footage | Not explained yet | Unconfirmed |
Rockstar has not said how the clues interact with the six-star level, for example whether a five-clue report raises stars faster. Treat any exact formula you see online as guesswork until launch.
Not every crime triggers a chase
Rockstar via Edge Pedestrians notice whether a shotgun is slung on your back or held in your hands. Crowds edge away and some people challenge you, but you can drop the weapon, and Edge says the game allows “a degree of latitude” before behaviour becomes a wanted level. The idea is that information spreads through the world naturally rather than every slip bringing the whole police force down on you.
What the police can do to you
Rockstar via Edge In the demo, Rob Nelson fled a botched robbery on a stolen motorcycle with Lucia on the back. Police radioed ahead and laid a stinger strip that was almost invisible at night. The tyre blew, both were thrown off, and as they ran a K-9 unit’s Alsatian caught Jason and pinned him to the ground.
Reported How often K-9 units appear is not known. IBTimes UK notes Rockstar has not said whether dogs respond anywhere in the open world or only in certain missions or at higher wanted levels.
Criminal Profile: the long-term consequence
Rockstar via Edge Separate from the wanted level, the Criminal Profile rates Jason and Lucia from “Professional” to “Irredeemable” with angel and devil icons. Incapacitating or intimidating instead of killing keeps you professional; shooting first builds a violent profile. Rockstar told Edge the profile “will influence how Jason and Lucia’s story unfolds”. It ties in with the Jason and Lucia relationship system.
Our day-one checklist for staying out of trouble
- Holster before you walk. Carry long guns slung, not in your hands, around crowds.
- Plan a clothes change. Know where the nearest clothing store or safehouse is before a robbery.
- Split up when two of you were seen. Switching characters lets one of you get clear.
- Ditch the gun you used if it is on the report.
- Pick older cars for getaways. Newer expensive models can carry trackers.
- Watch the road at night. Stinger strips are hard to see at speed.
- Do not count on outrunning a dog on foot. Get into a vehicle.
- Use non-lethal options if you want a “Professional” profile.
These tips follow directly from the systems described by Rockstar; we have not played the game, and we will update this guide after launch.
Frequently asked questions
How many wanted stars does GTA 6 have?
Six. The Extended Look footage shows a six-star wanted level, one more than GTA V.
How do you lose the police in GTA 6?
According to Rockstar’s Edge preview, you remove clues from the police report shown as icons on screen: split up from your partner, change clothes and drop your weapon, then get out of sight.
Are there police dogs in GTA 6?
Yes. In the Edge demo a K-9 unit’s dog caught and pinned Jason. How often K-9 units appear has not been confirmed.
What is the GTA 6 heat system?
It is the police knowledge system: your description, whether you had a partner, your clothes, CCTV and your weapon, each shown as an icon.
Does the Criminal Profile affect the story?
Rockstar told Edge it will influence how Jason and Lucia’s story unfolds, but has not said how much.