GTA has always been as much about guns — and the freedom to wield them — as it is about sprawling cityscapes, chaotic heists, and over-the-top criminal mayhem. But based on recent leaks and early footage of GTA 6 Money, it seems the series may be drastically rethinking how it handles weapon carrying and inventory. Gone may be the days of hauling an entire armory on your character at any time. Instead, the game appears to lean heavily into realism, strategy, and preparation.
The Leak: Duffel Bags, Backpacks, and Trunks
One of the more talked-about revelations from the leaks is that players may be able to use a duffel bag or backpack to store weapons and gear — in addition to, or instead of, carrying them all on their person. Some of the leaked UI footage reportedly shows a “Duffel Bag” slot in the inventory wheel/menu.
Moreover, the concept of storing extra weapons inside vehicles’ trunks has been floated. In other words, your car becomes a mobile armory. If you want heavy gear, bulky weapons, or a full complement of weapons beyond what you carry on you, you’d store them in the trunk; only a limited load will be on your person at any one time.
This design seems to mirror the more realistic, immersive carrying systems seen in recent narrative-driven games — and even draws clear inspiration from how items and weapons were managed in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2).
The New Weapon Wheel & Inventory System
The leaked material also hints at a revamped weapon wheel and inventory interface. The old structure of GTA — where you could carry many weapons and switch them on the fly — appears to be replaced with a more organized system that handles weapons, gear, and items under a unified interface: weapons, equipment (like health/consumables/tools), and “gear” or “inventory bag” items.
Under the new model, you can't just walk around with dozens of guns and explosives slung all over you. Instead:
The game seems to enforce a carry limit: early footage suggests you may only be able to have a couple of rifles and pistols “on your person.”
Additional weapons (or gear) would likely be tucked into a duffel bag/backpack — which itself occupies an inventory slot — or stored in a vehicle trunk.
The wheel’s UI reportedly allows quick switching between weapons, gear, and the bag/inventory — likely via the controller’s right stick or weapon wheel button.
Consumables and tools (medical kits, body armor, lock picks, etc.) are also part of this new inventory system — not just weapons.
This overhaul suggests a more tactical, considered approach: players may need to plan their loadout based on upcoming missions or expected encounters, instead of just carrying everything with them by default.
Why This Shift Matters: Realism, Immersion & Strategic Depth
The proposed changes to weapon carrying and inventory in GTA 6 would mark a major shift in tone and gameplay philosophy for the series. Here’s what could make this new system both challenging and exciting:
1. More Realism and Immersion
Allowing players to stash extra guns in their car trunk — rather than always carrying them on their person — adds a real-world logic that makes sense: in real life, criminals stash heavy gear in vehicles, not walk around with a small arsenal at all times.
The presence of a duffel bag or backpack as a physical, usable inventory item can deepen immersion. It’s not just a quick select menu — it feels like actual equipment, like a heist bag you’d throw over your shoulder when prepping for a job.
Inventory limitations force you to commit to a loadout before heading into a mission, increasing tension and stakes.
2. Tactical Decision Making
With limited on-person weapon slots, players will need to choose carefully: do you go in stealthily with a pistol and lock picks, or bring heavy firepower and risk detection?
The trunk-storage mechanic incentivizes pre-raid planning: if a heist requires heavy firepower, you’d better stash the right weapons in your vehicle ahead of time.
Switching cars — or losing your ride — could have real consequences. If your weapons are stuck in a trunk, you might find yourself under-equipped after a random spawn or stolen car. That adds unpredictability and risk.
3. A Blend of GTA Chaos and RPG-like Inventory Management
One of the charms of past GTA games was how effortlessly you could terrorize a city with an ever-ready arsenal. This shift suggests GTA 6 might merge that chaotic freedom with more strategy, resource management, and role-playing sensibilities — something more often seen in open-world RPGs (or in RDR2).
It could also enrich heist sequences, stealth gameplay, and high-stakes missions. For instance, maybe stacking explosives or armor takes up space in your duffel bag, forcing you to choose between ammo, medical kits, or loot.
What the Leaks Suggest — And What Remains Uncertain
While the leaks paint a compelling picture, it’s important to emphasize that nothing is officially confirmed yet. The leaked footage, UI glimpses, and community breakdowns hint at an ambitious system, but until release, details could change. Here’s a breakdown of what seems likely — and what could still be subject to revision:
What Looks Likely
A redesigned inventory and weapon wheel that includes weapons, gear, and bag-based storage (duffel bag or backpack).
Limiting the number of weapons you can carry on your person at once (e.g., a couple of rifles/pistols), with extras needing to go to bag or vehicle storage.
Allowing trunk-based storage of weapons/items — effectively turning cars into mobile stash spots.
Inclusion of non-weapon gear (consumables, body armor, tools, loot bags, etc.) as part of the inventory system.
What Is Still Open / Debated
How much capacity does the duffel bag/backpack offer — will it hold many weapons? Loot? Gear? Or is it mainly for mission items/heist loot? Some believe it's for loot/money rather than guns.
Whether trunk storage is persistent or tied to “main cars.” For example, if you steal a random car, do you immediately get access to your weapons stash? Or will only "your" assigned car trunk count? Some rumors suggest a system similar to RDR2 saddlebags, where only certain vehicles might hold your personal stash.
How the loadout switching/retrieval animations will work in practice — retrieving from trunk, equipping, unequipping during missions, etc. The leaked clips show some trunk access animations, but it's unclear how polished or locked-in those systems will be.
Balance between realism and accessibility. One of the charms of GTA has always been easy access to chaos. If the system becomes too restrictive or cumbersome, some players may find it frustrating rather than immersive. Indeed, some community speculation fears that constant trunk access might break flow or fun.
What This Shift Could Mean for Gameplay and Player Behavior
If implemented as leaked, this new inventory/weapon system could reshape how players approach GTA 6 — and change the tone of many typical GTA experiences.
Heists and Planning Become More Important
In prior GTA games, you could show up to a heist or robbery with a full loadout — heavy weapons, explosives, getaway tools — without much pre-planning. With a trunk-based system, you'd likely need to pre-pack the car. That adds a planning/preparation layer: which weapons will you need? How much gear? What kind of loot or escape plan?
It also adds tension. If you show up underarmed because you forgot to restock the trunk — or lost your car — you could find yourself in a tight spot.
Stealth, Subterfuge, and Low Profile Crime Gain Value
Carrying a massive arsenal on your person can look suspicious. By contrast, hiding guns in a duffel bag/trunk, carrying minimal weapons, or using small arms/tools could benefit stealthy, low-profile missions.
It opens up a different style of play: you might choose to carry only a pistol and lock picks; stash heavy weapons in the car until a more chaotic moment.
Theft, Car Switching, and Inventory Risk Factor
Vehicles cease to be simple fast travel tools — they become an extension of your inventory. Losing your car might mean losing all your stored weapons/gear temporarily (or forever, depending on how persistence works). That raises the stakes for car theft, car switching, and fleeing from police, making decisions around transport more strategic.
Inventory Management and Player Strategy Matter More
Instead of “spray first, ask questions later,” GTA 6 might reward players who think ahead: plan their loadout, manage space, and anticipate missions. For those who enjoy strategy and immersion over brute force, this could make GTA 6 feel deeper and more satisfying.
On the other hand — and this is worth noting — it could reduce the sense of chaotic freedom that has defined earlier GTA games. For players who loved having all the guns at their disposal, it could feel like a limitation.
What This Could Mean for Modding, Multiplayer & Long-Term Play
Given how popular modification (mod) culture has been for previous GTA titles, a trunk-based inventory could give modders something unique to work with. Imagine: custom trunk armories, stash houses, vehicle-based base building — a new layer of modded roleplay or multiplayer heist planning that blends realism and GTA’s trademark mayhem.
In a multiplayer context (if GTA 6 launches with a robust online component), such a system could also encourage cooperation and planning. Teams might need to coordinate who carries what, store gear in shared vehicles, plan heists with shared inventory, or manage logistics — roles and teamwork become more meaningful.
Moreover, the restriction encourages specialization: one player carries heavy weapons, another carries medical kits or stealth gear, another handles getaway tools — all coordinated like a real crew.
Why Fans Are Hesitant — and What Could Go Wrong
As with any major change, there’s bound to be some skepticism. Here are some of the concerns and risks that fans (and critics) are already pointing out — based on leaks and community discussion.
Flow and Fun vs. Realism
GTA, historically, has thrived on over-the-top freedom: want a rocket launcher and a pistol and a shotgun and a minigun, all ready at once? You could. If GTA 6 forces you to constantly return to your car or dig through your bag to swap weapons, some may feel the pace becomes slower, more cumbersome, and less fun.
Inventory and Persistence Issues
What happens when you lose your car or your trunk stash? Will you lose access to your weapons until you find another car? If so, that might punish players harshly, especially in chaotic multiplayer sessions or after police chases.
Also, if the duffel bag/trunk system isn't persistent across sessions, or if there are bugs/limitations, it could lead to lost progress or frustration.
Balance Between Realism and Accessibility
Too realistic a system might alienate players who just want to jump in and blow stuff up. There’s always a tension between simulation-style inventory management and classic arcade-style freedom. If the system leans too far into realism, it may lose the accessibility that made GTA so popular.
What We Do Know — And What to Watch Out For
As of now, the picture of GTA 6’s inventory/weapon carrying system seems to be shaping up — but nothing is guaranteed. Here’s a recap of what appears likely, and what remains uncertain or speculative:
What seems likely:
A redesigned inventory/weapon wheel that includes weapons, gear/items, and bag/trunk-based storage.
Carrying limits for on-person weapons: likely only a few (pistols, rifles), not a full arsenal.
Use of duffel bags/backpacks as physical inventory items, possibly for extra weapons, loot, and gear.
Trunk-based storage: cars function as vaults for weapons/gear/loot — which would make vehicle choice and management more strategic.
Inclusion of non-weapon items — medical supplies, tools, loot bags, etc. — into inventory, making it more than just “guns and ammo.”
What remains uncertain / speculative:
Exactly how much storage capacity bags/trunks will have (guns only? loot? ammo? gear?).
Whether trunk storage will be tied to a “main car” or allow switching cars freely, especially after stealing or losing vehicles.
How seamless or clunky the retrieval/equip animations and system will be — whether switching gear mid mission will feel natural or disruptive.
Whether the system is mandatory or optional, will players be forced into this limitation, or will there be easier, more traditional options for those who want the old-style carry-everything freedom?
Long-term balance: how this system will affect multiplayer, modding, and replayability.
Why This Matters for the Future of GTA — And What It Says About the Direction of the Series
GTA has always been about freedom, but also about fantasy — hyper hyper-realistic yet over-the-top criminal sandbox. With this new system, GTA 6 could be signaling a shift: moving from “chaotic sandbox” to “immersive sandbox with constraints.”
That doesn’t necessarily limit freedom — in fact, it could enhance it: by forcing choice, planning, and strategy, GTA 6 might deliver deeper, more meaningful gameplay — where you don’t just grab every weapon and run in guns blazing, but approach missions like a criminal mastermind.
Moreover, the interface overhaul shows a willingness to evolve. The new weapon wheel + inventory system embraces modern game design sensibilities: comparable to RPGs or survival games where inventory weight, space, and gear matter. It suggests that the developers (presumably Rockstar Games) are aiming for depth, realism, and consequential choices — not just spectacle.
This could also influence how future titles — whether in the GTA series or other open world franchises — handle inventory and gear: perhaps spawning a trend toward more realistic buy GTA 6 Money, inventory-driven design.
Conclusion: A New Era for GTA — With Guns, Gear, and Consequences
The leaks around GTA 6's duffel bag/backpack / trunk-based weapon storage and revamped inventory/weapon wheel suggest something bold: a reimagined system that blends the chaos of Grand Theft Auto with the weight of realism and strategy.
If implemented well, this could make GTA 6 not just another open world shooter — but a deeper, more immersive criminal sandbox, where planning, inventory management, and strategic gear choice matter as much as sharpshooting and car chases.
Of course — until official confirmation or release, everything is tentative. The leaks and speculation offer a tantalizing glimpse, but the real test will be in how it plays: how seamless the system feels, how balanced the trade-offs are, and whether the game retains the reckless fun and freedom that made GTA legendary.
But if these changes land right, GTA 6 could redefine what players expect from a modern open world crime game — not just in terms of scope and graphics, but in systems, tension, and immersion.
