GTA 6 Beginner Tips: 7 Things to Do As Soon As You Hit Vice City

Look, you just dropped at least $79.99 on a single-player ticket to Leonida, so you’d better squeeze every neon-soaked cent out of that first hour. The good news: Rockstar already showed us enough to skip the fluff. Before you even think about the main story, nail these seven moves—they’ll set you up like a seasoned con artist, not a clueless tourist.

1. Grab a set of wheels — the old way and the new

Stealing cars isn’t always a smash-and-grab anymore. Some vehicles need a bit more finesse—a tool or two—so your first boosted ride might surprise you. If you spot a locked gem, remember Rockstar showed that a little extra gear goes a long way. While you’re at it, take a detour to the Shore Court Garage on Ocean Beach if you pre-ordered; the Vintage Vice City Pack (a free pre-order bonus) includes a garage and a two-tone ’55 sedan, so you’ll start with a classy crib and wheels even if the police impound your first ride.

2. Hit the gym, then hit a diner

Eating, exercise, and sleep visibly change Jason’s and Lucia’s bodies, so you can sculpt them however you like—or let them go. Pump some iron at one of the confirmed gyms, then undo it all with a greasy meal. Rockstar hasn’t stated whether NPCs react to your physique specifically, but in a place as image-obsessed as Vice City, it wouldn’t be shocking if a beach-ready build gets a different street vibe than a fast-food physique. Either way, watching your character morph in real time is the cheapest thrill in town.

3. Get caught in a hurricane

Leonida’s weather isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character that throws tantrums. Dynamic storms range from blinding sunshine to full-blown hurricanes with whipping debris. Chase one early, preferably on a coastal road. Pedestrians panic, palms bend, and the whole vibe shifts. Rockstar showed rainbows, too, so after the chaos you might catch a neon arc over the mangroves. This is the Florida simulation you paid for.

4. Find Flash FM and never change the station

Flip through the dial until you hit Flash FM—one of the few announced stations—and leave it there. Absurd DJ banter and a killer playlist are half the reason to drive anywhere in Vice City. The official soundtrack album is already up for pre-save, so you know the tunes will be sticky. Pair that with a sunset cruise along Ocean Beach, and you’ll forget the main mission marker exists for a solid fifteen minutes.

5. Walk Ocean Beach and really listen

Pedestrian dialogue in GTA VI runs deep, and NPCs remember your actions. Stroll the boardwalk, bump into sunburned tourists, and see how they react. If you help someone or start a fight, the streets talk. Rockstar also built a social-media layer into the world—streamers and viral clips are everywhere—so expect random NPCs to pull out phones and comment on your antics. It’s a living, nosy Florida, and ignoring it is like leaving half your game on the table.

6. Master the mid-mission protagonist swap

Jason and Lucia aren’t just two heads sharing one body. During missions—like a car chase—you can swap roles: one drives, the other shoots. The Extended Look made it look nearly instant. Practice this early. A smooth swap turns a sloppy getaway into a coordinated ballet of bullet casings and burned rubber. It’s the feature that’ll separate the career criminals from the day-one trade-ins.

7. Skip the story and find a side hustle

Rockstar packed more side activities into Leonida than a Florida flea market. Confirmed options include kayaking, zoo visits, street racing, off-road racing, wrestling, pool, mini-golf, and gyms. Spend your first hour poking around a swampy backroad or sweating through a wrestling match. These aren’t filler—they’re how you’ll live between heists, and they sharpen your skills without the pressure of a checkpoint. Plus, you might stumble into one of those dynamic weather events mid-race, which is its own chaotic reward.