We at NerdLeaks are following a fresh report that, if true, would remove one of the most annoying legacy control quirks from the Grand Theft Auto line. GTA 6 allegedly uses a much cleaner running input than its predecessor, doing away with button-mashing in favour of a simple toggle via the controller stick — a small change that could be wildly important to daily play.
What Was Reported
Per Game Rant, a YouTuber called MikeShowSha was given the opportunity to try GTA 6 for a couple of hours at Rockstar North. During that preview, MikeShowSha reportedly saw a change to how the game handles running: there is allegedly no need for button mashing to keep characters moving at speed.
Control Details From The Preview
Pressing the left analog stick will set either Lucia or Jason into a run.
The run reportedly remains active until the player stops moving entirely or presses the analog stick again.
That control scheme is said to be the setup available during the previews at the Rockstar North studio, and is likely the default, although it’s possible players may be able to change it.
GTA 5 and GTA Online are recalled in the report as having required button-mashing at launch, a mechanic that was later changed to allow stick-press running. The write-up emphasises that players tolerated tapping to run for around ten years before that change.
The Source & Credibility
All of this comes via Game Rant's write-up of the preview details, which cites MikeShowSha as the firsthand source. The article also places the preview in context with an ongoing situation where an earlier build of GTA 6 was leaked online; Take-Two Interactive is said to have filed subpoenas while pursuing the leaker. Take this with a pinch of salt: the claims are secondhand from a YouTuber who visited Rockstar North, so there are multiple links in the chain between the build and public players.
That said, the report notes the preview control scheme is probably the default, and explicitly concedes players may be able to change those inputs through options. The article also touches on accessibility trends in games, suggesting the control choice fits broader shifts in design philosophy.
What It Could Mean
If true, this feels like a tidy quality-of-life win for GTA 6 players. Removing button-mash stamina for running would:
Reduce physical strain and awkward inputs during long play sessions;
Make intense moments—chases, firefights—easier to handle without frantic tapping;
Potentially broaden accessibility for players who struggled with tapping mechanics.
There is also the strategic angle: the preview control scheme being “likely the default” suggests Rockstar may be aiming for a more modern baseline control setup out of the gate. That said, the report explicitly allows for the possibility that options may be added or altered before final release, so this could still change.
And for those tracking the game's public trajectory, the piece reminds readers that GTA 6 is already a massive commercial event — the report references a claim that GTA 6 made $1 billion in just an hour — and that Rockstar Games has been reassuring fans it won't be further delayed. How controls settle into the final product may matter more than ever given the scale of attention.
Why This Matters
Small control changes can have outsized impact on a game's feel. If GTA 6 truly adopts a stick-toggle run as standard, it would remove a decade-old annoyance many players associate with the series' earlier entries. That’s meaningful both for everyday comfort and competitive moments in-game. We’re excited by the prospect, but remain sceptical — the claim is secondhand and reportedly observed during a limited studio preview. As always, take this with a pinch of salt until more direct confirmation appears.
For more on the business and schedule side of GTA 6, see our coverage of the GTA 6 Budget and our look at GTA 6 Delay Rumours.
