Grand Theft Auto VI is bringing slow-motion shooting back into Rockstar’s modern crime setting. Extended gameplay footage shows a combat ability accompanied by an eye icon and a purple meter beneath the health bar, drawing a clear parallel with Dead Eye from Red Dead Redemption 2. However, Rockstar has not confirmed that Dead Eye is the ability’s official name.
What the footage shows
The extended footage includes several moments of slow-motion action associated with the on-screen meter. So far, Jason is the only character shown using the ability. That leaves an important distinction: you can see him use it, but its absence from Lucia’s demonstrated gameplay does not establish that she cannot access it.
The combination of an eye symbol, a separate gauge, and slowed gunfights suggests a combat system rather than a purely cinematic effect. For you, the potential benefit is more time to assess a dangerous encounter and aim under pressure. Exactly how you activate or sustain that advantage remains unclear.
A familiar idea, but not necessarily the same system
Grand Theft Auto V already explored this approach through Michael De Santa’s special ability, which slowed time during shootouts. Grand Theft Auto VI therefore does not introduce slow-motion combat to the series for the first time.
The new presentation more closely resembles Red Dead Redemption 2’s Dead Eye. In that game, the system lets you slow the action and focus on targets, with its capabilities expanding as you progress. Those details should not automatically be treated as features of Grand Theft Auto VI: the footage establishes a resemblance, not an identical set of mechanics.
What Rockstar still needs to explain
The dedicated meter raises several practical questions about how you will use the ability in a firefight:
- What drains the meter, and how quickly?
- What replenishes it?
- Does the ability improve as you progress?
- Is it exclusive to Jason?
Rockstar has not fully detailed those systems. Until it does, the safest takeaway is that Jason has demonstrated a slow-motion shooting ability with its own interface indicator–not that every feature of Red Dead Redemption 2’s Dead Eye is returning.
If you are revisiting an older entry while following Grand Theft Auto VI, we also have a guide to GTA San Andreas cheats for PS5. You can browse our gaming articles index for other coverage.
FAQ
Rockstar has not confirmed that name. The comparison comes from the slow-motion shooting, eye icon, and dedicated meter visible in the footage.
Only Jason has been shown using it so far. Whether Lucia can also use it remains unconfirmed.
Rockstar has not yet explained what replenishes the meter or exactly how it is consumed.
Yes. Michael De Santa’s special ability in Grand Theft Auto V lets you slow time during gunfights.