Yet another Grand Theft Auto 6 rumor has claimed that Rockstar's eventual release of the GTA 5 sequel will be unlike any other installment of the open-world series before it. This time chatter alleging that GTA 6 will feature a woman protagonist for the first time in its 24-year history has reemerged. Rockstar has yet to even announce GTA 6, so it's difficult to gauge how legitimate this assertion actually is. Regardless of the rumor's accuracy, it has served to highlight how badly the GTA series needs a woman to star in a lead role.
GTA 5 took the franchise to new heights by introducing some of the series' most memorable characters and immersive environments. Despite its overwhelmingly positive reception, the release of GTA 5 was marred by some controversy regarding its female characters. A majority of the game was praised for its satirical depiction of modern-day American life, but its portrayal of women was a stark reflection of the misogyny that was present in past releases. GTA 6 could be how Rockstar redeems itself in this aspect, by framing the plot through a woman's perspective.
GTA co-creator Dan Houser even admitted to The New York Times that he had not thought about the portrayal of women in the game "as much as I should have." GTA 5's campaign is seen through the lens of three male protagonists, and women are often overly-sexualized or used as the punchline for in-game jokes. GTA Online is the only game mode that lets gamers play as female characters, but these voiceless avatars add no narrative substance to the title. GTA 6 should venture where no other installment of the franchise has dared to go and make a woman the main character.
GTA 6 Needs A Female Protagonist
Each GTA release has been more ambitious than the last, and a playable, voiced female protagonist would definitely be a first for the series. Rockstar could continue on this track by addressing one of the franchise's most glaring narrative flaws while delivering an experience that no other GTA game has ever done before. This possible route seems to align with many of GTA 6 rumors that have gained traction over the past couple of years.
Unverified information, including the GTA "Project Americas" rumors, has alleged that the title would be set in Vice City and take place in the 1980s, during the height of the illicit drug trade into the US. While unconfirmed, that setting could work perfectly with a female protagonist by taking inspiration from the real-life stories of drug kingpins of the time. Historical examples of women involved in running international-scale drug rings, like the stories of Griselda "Cocaine Godmother" Blanco and Enedina "La Jefa" Arellano Félix, could be used as the basis of a few of GTA 6's missions.
Whether or not Rockstar chooses to return to Vice City in GTA 6, a female protagonist would put players into situations that they've never experienced in previous releases. It wouldn't only be a step towards making the GTA series more inclusive, but it would also make Grand Theft Auto 6 break new ground.