Former Rockstar animator Mike York praised the visuals in Extended Look, the GTA VI showcase video, but considered some of the facial animations under-refined.

In an interview with TechRadar, York highlighted the lighting, visual clarity, and hair movement featured in the presentation.

The discussion also reached fan forums. In a post about a scene from the video, one participant wrote: “The detail in the facial expressions is insane.” Other users, however, found some expressions less convincing during dialogue.

The video features protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. A still image can reveal details in the skin, but it doesn't show how the eyes and mouth move during dialogue.

York suggested that performance limitations may influence the level of detail in facial animations: more detail may require additional processing and affect the game's fluidity. This is the analysis of an outside professional, not an explanation from Rockstar about the facial technology used in the game.

The characters' appearances have also been debated in earlier promotional images: some fans highlighted facial hair and skin details, while others felt the skin looked too smooth. In comparisons between materials, lighting and camera angles can affect perception without proving that the characters' digital representations have changed.

Grand Theft Auto VI, from Rockstar Games, will be released on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game is set in Leonida, a fictional state inspired by Florida.