Summary

  • Some GTA fans want GTA 6 Online to ditch the Heritage system from GTA 6 Online.
  • Instead of fiddling with virtual genetics, these players would prefer a more traditional character creator.

Some Grand Theft Auto fans want GTA 6 Online to ditch the Heritage character customization system that Rockstar pioneered back in 2013. Instead, they're hoping that GTA 6 Online will feature a more straightforward character creator.

As the name implies, the Heritage system focuses on inheriting character traits rather than allowing granular control over one’s GTA Online character. At the start of the game, players are prompted to choose their in-game parents from an array of preset faces, including some famous individuals such as Claude from GTA 3 and John Marston from Red Dead Redemption. From there, it's possible to fiddle with something called the Resemblance slider to adjust just how many facial traits one's character will inherit from each parent. A separate slider is used for skin tone and functions similarly. After deciding on a heritage, the remaining customizable features include hairstyle and color, facial hair, makeup, eye color, and aging traits such as wrinkles and blemishes.

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While the Heritage system helped make GTA Online stand out back in the day, it never quite clicked for some fans. One such player is Reddit user OfficialSmokDoll, who recently argued that the system limits granular character creation—something that they truly enjoy. As a result, OfficialSmokDoll said they're hoping GTA 6 Online will scrap its predecessor's Heritage system in favor of a more conventional character creator.

Some GTA Fans Are Fine With the Heritage System, so Long As It's Optional

OfficialSmokDoll's opinion amassed hundreds of upvotes and promptly emerged on the front page of the r/GTA6 subreddit in mid-April 2025, suggesting that some vocal Grand Theft Auto fans share their dislike for the Heritage system. A number of fans chiming in on the ensuing discussion said that they never really understood the point of this feature, especially since full character customization had been available in games long before GTA Online was released. On the other hand, some players shared that they were fine with the system existing, so long as it's offered as an alternative to full-fledged character creation instead of being its replacement.

The chances of GTA 6's online mode ditching the Heritage system are currently unclear, as Rockstar has yet to share anything about its upcoming game's multiplayer functionality. The developer has been radio-silent on GTA 6 ever since treating it to a reveal trailer back in December 2023.

For the time being, the game is still targeting a late 2025 release for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Publisher Take-Two Interactive is expected to be pressed for a GTA 6 status update on May 15, when its next quarterly earnings call is scheduled to take place.

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Systems
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Released
November 19, 2026
ESRB
Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Publisher(s)
Rockstar Games
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Engine
Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE)
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure