GTA 6 Day One Guide: What to Do on Launch Day

Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the biggest launches in gaming history, and when the servers light up and the disc drive spins, it can be hard to know where to start. This GTA 6 day one guide walks you through a sensible launch-day plan: what to do first, what to save for later, and how to get comfortable with Vice City and the state of Leonida without rushing the story or burning out in the first few hours.

The advice below is built around what Rockstar has officially shown and confirmed, plus the standard structure of modern GTA titles. Anything that has not been confirmed by Rockstar is flagged as reported or rumored, so you can plan your first session without chasing unverified claims.

Before You Press Start

A little preparation goes a long way on launch day. If you have already read our GTA VI beginner guide, you know the broad shape of the early game. On day one, the goal is simpler: get the game installed, patched and running smoothly before you dive into the story.

• Install and patch first. Modern Rockstar releases ship with a substantial day-one patch. Start the download early, especially if your connection is slow.
• Check your platform. GTA VI is confirmed for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version also listed for the game. If you are on PC, keep an eye on our GTA VI PC page for platform-specific notes.
• Set your display and audio options. HDR, brightness and subtitle settings are worth adjusting before the opening cutscenes, since you will be watching a lot of them.
• Decide on your difficulty and aim settings. If you are new to the series, a softer aim assist and generous auto-aim will make the early shootouts far less frustrating.

If you want the full picture of what platforms and editions exist, our GTA VI platforms overview covers the confirmed details.

Start With the Prologue, Not the Map

The single biggest mistake new players make is ignoring the story to go exploring. In GTA VI, the opening missions are effectively a tutorial for the entire game. They introduce Lucia and Jason, teach you driving, shooting, melee combat and the cover system, and unlock the phone and inventory interfaces you will use constantly.

Play through the prologue missions in one sitting if you can. They establish the tone, the relationship between the two leads, and the basic loop of Vice City crime. Skipping them means you will be learning core mechanics the hard way later, usually during a mission that punishes mistakes.

Once the prologue is done, the world opens up considerably. That is your signal to slow down and start exploring.

Learn the Dual-Protagonist Switch Early

GTA VI stars two playable protagonists, Lucia and Jason, and the game reportedly lets you swap between them during and between missions. Getting comfortable with this early pays off, because some objectives can only be completed by one character.

The character switch wheel is mapped to the D-Pad down on console, with an equivalent key on PC. Practice swapping a few times in a safe area so the muscle memory sticks. Each protagonist has their own contacts, skills and mission chains, so it is worth spending time with both rather than maining one.

For a deeper look at the two leads, our GTA VI characters and cast page breaks down who they are and how their stories connect.

Get Your Controls Sorted

Nothing ruins a first session like fumbling the controls during a chase. Spend ten minutes in a quiet part of the map practicing the basics:

• On foot: movement, sprinting, the cover system and melee.
• Aiming and shooting: the aim button, fire button and reload.
• Weapon wheel: switching between weapons and throwables in real time.
• Vehicles: entering and exiting, handbrake turns and drive-by aiming.
• Phone: opening the map, contacts and mission list.

If you want a full reference, our GTA VI controls guide walks through every input on PS5, Xbox and PC. Getting these down on day one makes everything afterward smoother.

Explore Vice City, But Do It Deliberately

Vice City and the wider state of Leonida are the heart of the game. On day one, resist the urge to sprint across the entire map. Instead, explore the district you start in thoroughly.

• Unlock fast-travel points and safehouses as you find them.
• Note the locations of shops, garages and services you will use often.
• Let the map reveal itself progressively as you discover new areas.

This approach means you always have a nearby safehouse and a known route back, which matters when a mission goes sideways. Our Vice City and Leonida locations guide is a good companion once you want to branch out.

Build a Little Money Before You Spend

Early GTA games reward patience. Take on story missions, side hustles and random encounters to build a cash buffer before you splurge on cars or weapons. Random encounters in particular are easy to miss and often pay well.

Once you have some money, invest in properties and businesses that generate passive income. Managing your economy is reportedly key to unlocking the best gear and vehicles later, so treat your first purchases as investments rather than toys. If you are eyeing a specific ride, our GTA VI vehicles guide can help you decide what is worth the spend.

What to Save for Later

Day one is not the time to chase everything. Save these for your second or third session:

• Collectibles and hidden secrets. These are easier once you have fast travel and a fuller map.
• Cheat codes. Many players prefer a clean first playthrough. If you want them anyway, our GTA VI cheat codes page collects what the community has found.
• Online modes. If GTA VI Online follows the pattern of its predecessor, it may arrive separately from the main story. Treat it as a later project.
• Completionist goals. Hundred-percent runs are marathons, not sprints.

FAQ

What should I do first in GTA VI on launch day? Install and patch the game, adjust your display and control settings, then play the prologue missions. They double as the tutorial and unlock core systems like the phone and inventory.

Can I switch between Lucia and Jason right away? The dual-protagonist switch is introduced early, reportedly during and between missions. Practice the switch wheel once it unlocks so you are comfortable with both characters.

Should I explore the whole map on day one? No. Explore your starting district thoroughly, unlock safehouses and fast-travel points, and let the map reveal progressively. Rushing the whole map early usually means missing useful locations.

Are cheat codes worth using on day one? That is a personal choice. Many players prefer a clean first playthrough and save cheats for later. If you want them, our cheat codes page collects community discoveries.

Do I need to play the older GTA games first? No. GTA VI is a standalone story set in Vice City and Leonida. Prior knowledge helps with references, but it is not required.

Pro Tips

• Watch the cutscenes. They teach mechanics and set up the story. Skipping them makes later missions harder to follow.
• Swap protagonists often. Each has unique contacts and mission chains, and some objectives are character-specific.
• Bank your cash early. Build a buffer before buying cars or weapons, then invest in income-generating properties.
• Mark useful locations. Note shops, garages and safehouses as you find them so you always have a fallback.
• Don't chase rumors. Unconfirmed leaks and rumored features are not worth planning your first session around. Stick to what Rockstar has shown.
• Take breaks. Launch-day marathons are tempting, but pacing yourself keeps the game fun for the long haul.

Day one in GTA VI is really about orientation: learn the systems, meet Lucia and Jason, and get comfortable in Vice City before you chase the big scores. Follow the prologue, sort your controls, explore deliberately and build a little money, and you will be set up for everything the rest of Leonida throws at you.