It's been almost a decade since Grand Theft Auto 5's first release, and against all odds, it's somehow still one of the most played games today. Over the last nine years, fans have spent thousands of hours in GTA 5, finishing the story multiple times, unlocking every weapon and vehicle available, and seeing absolutely everything that GTA Online has to offer. But despite GTA 5's immense replayability, it has been nearly a decade, and fans are desperate for the next iteration in the beloved crime franchise, Grand Theft Auto 6.
While Grand Theft Auto 6 has finally been confirmed to be in development at Rockstar, the developer has made it very clear that it's still some years away. Despite this, leaks surrounding the upcoming sequel have been non-stop, and a recent report at Bloomberg suggests that the game is taking the franchise in a new direction. Along with a new tonal approach, Grand Theft Auto 6 will also apparently introduce the series' first playable female character as part of a pair of protagonists, with a story inspired by the historical gangsters, Bonnie and Clyde.
A Brief History of Bonnie and Clyde
Born in 1910 and 1909 respectively, Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were an infamous criminal couple who conducted a series of robberies across America during the Great Depression era. A passionate photographer, Bonnie met Clyde in 1930, her being 20 years old, and him being 19. In 1932, the two formed a gang and robbed a slew of stores across the United States. By the April of 1933, the gang had murdered five people during their robbery attempts or during firefights with rival gangs.
The gang continued their crime spree, all the while Bonnie and Clyde were growing closer. In 1934, the gang managed to stage a mass breakout at the Eastham prison in Texas. During the breakout, the gang killed Major Joe Crowson, which led to a widespread manhunt for the gang. From then on, the Barrow Gang narrowly avoided capture or death at every turn and killed a number of police officers along the way.
In May 1934, Bonnie and Clyde had become the country's most-wanted criminals. A group known as the Gibsland Posse discovered that the Barrow Gang moved in a pattern around the country, visiting family members along the way. Eventually, the posse cornered Bonnie and Clyde on the Louisiana State Highway 154, and the two were shot to death in their car.
How Bonnie and Clyde's Story Could Influence GTA 6
At the time, Bonnie and Clyde's criminal spree was both romanticized and demonized in the media. In recent decades, the story of Bonnie and Clyde has been adapted in a range of movies, and stage productions, including a musical. In these recent retellings, the intense relationship between Bonnie and Clyde is always a pivotal aspect, often seen to drive them to continue with their spree.
According to the recent Bloomberg report, Grand Theft Auto 6's narrative and central characters have been inspired by the story of Bonnie and Clyde. The report also mentions that there will be two primary playable characters in GTA 6, one of which is the series' first playable female character. This Bonnie and Clyde inspiration could mean that the two playable characters are a crime-driven couple. This inspiration could also imply that the characters go on and fast and frantic crime spree, and have to evade the police, eventually ending in tragedy for both characters.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently in development.