Rockstar Games is finally moving away from one of its most recognizable and most criticized control schemes.
For 25 years, running in a "Grand Theft Auto" game has meant repeatedly tapping a single button, but a new hands-on preview confirms that habit is about to change.
'GTA 6' Switches the Sprint Toggle Button
The news of the change came from streamer MikeShowSha, who spent two hours playing "Grand Theft Auto VI" during a Rockstar-supervised preview session. According to that hands-on footage, sprinting is now tied to L3, meaning players simply click the left analog stick rather than repeatedly tapping X on PlayStation or A on Xbox to build up speed.
It remains unclear whether players will need to hold the stick down to keep sprinting, or whether a single click triggers an automatic run for Jason and Lucia until they stop moving on their own, a.k.a. 'toggle to sprint.'
Rockstar has not officially confirmed the change, and it is possible a classic control scheme could still be offered as an option once the game fully launches, though nothing along those lines has been announced.
GTA 6 will no longer require tapping X on PS5 or A on Xbox to sprint, according to Mike ShowSha who previewed the game at Rockstar North.
— GTA 6 Countdown ⏳ (@GTAVI_Countdown) September 1, 2026
Sprinting will now require pressing L3 on PS5 or LS on Xbox.
(via @Mattdek_) pic.twitter.com/8bhYYhJyo5
Rockstar Changes Decades-Old Control
For as long as most players can remember, running in "Grand Theft Auto" games required holding down the dedicated sprint button, and then it turned into tapping the button to sprint, said ComicBook Gaming.
The faster a player tapped, the faster their character tended to move, giving the movement a distinct sense of weight, though it also made it awkward to control the camera while running at full speed.
Reactions to the change have been split. Many players have welcomed the switch, with some fans saying that the sprint button mechanic is old and should be changed. Some who agree with the switch claimed that they cannot wait for the game to arrive on PC so that they can map out the button instead.
On the other hand, there are those who want to keep the feature, saying that tapping the sprint button also makes them tired, kind of how it happens in real life, disagreeing with the change.
What to Expect From 'GTA VI'
This sprint change adds to a wave of new details that surfaced following "Grand Theft Auto VI's" Extended Look, which premiered on Netflix on August 27 using footage captured entirely on PlayStation 5. The 26-minute presentation confirmed character switching between Jason and Lucia, both during missions and free roam, letting one character drive while the other shoots during a chase.
The footage also brought back a six-star wanted level, the franchise's highest alert tier, alongside a more involved police system where a crime generally needs to be witnessed and reported by an NPC before officers respond. Beyond Vice City's dense streets and nightlife, the world of Leonida extends into wetlands, rural areas, and open water, with boats, jet skis, and kayaks suggesting waterways will play a real role in getting around.
Rockstar also confirmed a Criminal Profile system that tracks behavior patterns over time, alongside physical activities like weightlifting and a wide range of side content scattered throughout the map. With "Grand Theft Auto VI" set to release November 19, this sprint button change joins a growing list of gameplay shifts Rockstar has revealed heading into launch.
