GTA 6: inventory and weapon carrying — moving toward RDR 2 realism?

Inventory management and weapon carrying in GTA 6 are moving toward greater realism, directly inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2. The legendary “unlimited weapon wheel,” which let protagonists carry an entire military arsenal in their pockets, is giving way to a limited physical storage system in which vehicles and carry bags play a crucial strategic role.

🟢 [Official] What Rockstar Games has confirmed

The official visuals and trailer confirm the physical presence of the equipment Lucia and Jason carry:

• Visible weapons (visible weapon holstering): the protagonists carry handguns in holsters or on their belts, while long guns (assault rifles, shotguns) are shouldered or carried on a sling.
• Carry bags and duffels: heist sequences explicitly show duffel bags being used to carry loot, ammunition and heavy equipment.

Carrying weapons is no longer a magical abstraction, but a visual and tactical element reflected in the character's posture.

🟡 [Analysis / Credible leaks] The trunk system and limited inventory

Careful analysis of the September 2022 gameplay leaks revealed specific details about how the inventory works.

1. The limit on weapons carried on your person

• Compact loadout: a player can carry two sidearms (pistols or revolvers), one long gun on a sling and one melee weapon.
• The vehicle trunk as mobile storage: like the horse's saddle in RDR 2, your personal vehicle's trunk serves as your main storage space. You need to approach your car to swap heavy equipment before a heist or confrontation.

2. Consumables and health management

• Visible healing: using medkits, painkillers or drinks triggers a dedicated character animation rather than instant healing through the selection wheel.
• Managing disposable items: grenades, a taser, lockpicks and break-in tools occupy dedicated inventory slots.

⚪ [Rumors / Theories] Encumbrance, concealment and weight

The GTA6 Central community is discussing several potential mechanics that would deepen the tactical aspect:

• Concealment system: heading into town with an assault rifle over your shoulder would immediately attract civilians' attention and trigger a call to the police, while a pistol under a jacket would let you go unnoticed in public places.
• Bag inertia and weight: a bag full of cash or gold would slow Lucia or Jason's running speed, forcing a choice between a quick escape and maximum loot.