Getting Started · 2 min 1 sec read · Free access

Your first 5 hours in Leonida

A calm, no-spoiler plan for the opening hours so you build cash, skills and map knowledge fast.

Pre-release editorial · These tips are not yet verified in GTA VI. Tested tutorials will follow after launch.

1. 01

   Set up a comfortable first session

   Start with the settings you can actually see in the release version: subtitles, brightness, audio balance and camera sensitivity. Read each setting's description instead of copying a competitive preset. Make one change at a time, then test walking, aiming and driving in a quiet area. If a setting makes tracking targets harder, return it to the default. Take a screenshot of your preferred settings so you can restore them later. Accessibility options and control layouts have not yet been verified in GTA VI.

2. 02

   Choose your pace

   Story-first: follow the opening objectives until you understand the controls and the game introduces its core systems. Explorer: complete the introduction, then take a short trip through an already accessible district before returning to the story. Neither approach requires buying equipment immediately. In previous GTA games, missions often unlocked activities, but GTA VI's unlock order is not confirmed. Do not assume a location is missing simply because you cannot enter it yet.

3. 03

   Protect your progress and budget

   Check how autosave works in the shipped game. If manual saving is available, save before experiments or major purchases and keep an earlier slot rather than overwriting everything. Compare an upgrade's effect with the equipment you already have; delay cosmetic purchases until you know what money is needed for. These are planning habits, not confirmed GTA VI mechanics. Avoid guides promising exact opening payouts before anybody has tested the released game.

4. 04

   Make a useful exploration loop

   Pick one district and travel a small loop rather than crossing the entire map without a goal. Note landmarks, junctions and places you may want to revisit. If the released map supports markers, use a small consistent set; otherwise keep a short note outside the game. Return under different conditions only when the game lets you, and compare what actually changes rather than assuming every building or character has a hidden event.

5. 05

   Before you finish

   Check your next story objective, confirm that progress saved, and write down one thing you want to try next session. A three-line note is enough: current objective, useful discovery, next question. This keeps returning to the game easy without spoiling later missions. Our post-launch edition will replace general advice with verified unlocks, platform-specific controls and a tested opening route.