If you’re wondering why GTA 6 looks insanely realistic, it’s all because of RAGE 9.0, Rockstar’s brand-new graphics engine. This tech is the beating heart of the game’s visuals, and it’s what makes everything from lighting to character movement feel next-gen. But what exactly is RAGE 9.0, and why is it such a big deal?
Let’s break it down –
RAGE 9.0 – What Is It?
RAGE stands for Rockstar Advanced Game Engine. It’s their in-house tech used in past titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. But 9.0 isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a full-blown evolution.
Built from scratch to push boundaries, RAGE 9.0 is designed for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, meaning it doesn’t have to be held back by older-gen hardware.
Visuals Like Never Before
One of the biggest upgrades? Lighting and shadows. RAGE 9.0 uses a new ray-tracing system, which means reflections on cars, windows, water, and even puddles look just like real life.
Textures are sharper, environments are richer, and everything from roads to palm trees pops with insane detail. Even the NPCs have facial animations that go way beyond anything we’ve seen in GTA before.
Weather and Atmosphere
Dynamic weather isn’t just for visuals—it’s part of gameplay now. RAGE 9.0 allows for real-time weather transitions, affecting how your car drives, how NPCs behave, and how you explore Vice City.
From hazy sunsets to lightning storms, it feels alive and unpredictable.
Animations and AI Boost
Characters now move more fluidly thanks to a new animation system tied into AI behavior. NPCs don’t just walk—they interact, look around, react to you, and have routines. This level of realism is only possible because of RAGE 9.0’s power.
Even animals in the game have unique behaviors based on time, location, and weather.
Performance and FPS
Rockstar is targeting 60 FPS on consoles with 4K resolution, and thanks to how well-optimized RAGE 9.0 is, the game holds it smoothly.
For PC gamers, expect full customization and support for ultra settings with real-time scaling, DLSS, and more.
