How Cyberpunk 2077's Side Missions Could Inspire GTA 6's Open World Design in 2026

As I look at the gaming landscape in 2026, I can't help but marvel at how titles continue to cross-pollinate ideas, creating richer experiences for players like me. While browsing through my library, I found myself replaying Cyberpunk 2077's recent updates, and something struck me—despite being worlds apart in setting, Rockstar's upcoming GTA 6 could learn some incredible lessons from CD Projekt Red's masterpiece. Sure, one's a gritty satire of contemporary America and the other a neon-drenched dystopian future, but aren't the best stories universal? What if the missions that made Night City feel alive could be reborn in the sun-soaked streets of GTA 6's Leonida?

🕵️‍♂️ The Hunt: Psychological Thriller Meets Open World

Let me tell you about the side mission that kept me awake at night—The Hunt. Remember that chilling quest where you're tracking down a serial killer kidnapping boys in Night City? As I followed the clues through abandoned apartments and blood-stained hideouts, I realized something: this isn't just cyberpunk storytelling, it's classic detective noir that would fit perfectly in GTA 6. The mission structure itself is brilliant:

1. Investigation Phase: Searching crime scenes for clues

2. Interrogation: Talking to witnesses with hidden agendas

3. The Confrontation: A tense showdown with moral choices

Now imagine this translated to GTA 6's setting. Instead of Braindance technology (which admittedly wouldn't fit), Rockstar could use their signature satire to explore similar themes. Picture this—you're not just stealing cars or robbing banks, you're unraveling a conspiracy that starts with the mysterious death of a Leonida politician. The psychological depth here isn't tied to futuristic tech; it's about human darkness, something GTA has always excelled at portraying.

What makes The Hunt so memorable isn't the chrome and neon, but the way it makes you feel like a real detective in a living world. And isn't that what we want from modern open-world games?

😂 Burning Desire: When Satire Meets Gameplay

Okay, let's switch gears to something lighter but equally brilliant—Burning Desire. I still laugh remembering this mission where a man's... ahem... "enhancement" implant malfunctions, and you have to race him to a ripperdoc. The sheer absurdity of it! But here's the genius: it works because it combines:

• Urgent gameplay: A timed mission with obstacles

• Social satire: Commentary on body modification and vanity

• Character moments: Hilarious dialogue during the drive

Now, doesn't this sound exactly like something Rockstar would create? Think about it—GTA has always had commercials mocking questionable surgeries and medical procedures. A mission where you're driving someone to an underground clinic for a botched cosmetic procedure gone wrong? That's pure GTA gold!

What I love about this concept is how it turns what could be a simple fetch quest into social commentary wrapped in comedy. In 2026, players expect more than just "go here, shoot that" missions. They want stories that comment on our world, even when—especially when—they're making us laugh.

⚔️ The Heist: Stealth, References, and Rewards

Remember that mission where you rescue a doctor from the Tyger Claws? The one that gave you the legendary Scalpel katana? This mission taught me something important about side content design:

As I played through this mission using stealth instead of my usual brute force approach, I realized how much it changed my relationship with Night City. The quiet tension, the careful planning—it felt different from the usual chaos. GTA 6 could absolutely benefit from missions that encourage these alternative approaches.

And that doctor's backstory, identical to a character from The Office? That's the kind of clever writing Rockstar excels at. The question is: how would they put their own spin on it? Maybe instead of a direct reference, they'd create a mission parodying modern streaming shows or influencer culture—something distinctly 2026.

🎤 The Prophet's Song: World-Building Through Eccentric Characters

Walking through Night City, I always stop to listen to Garry the Prophet. His wild conspiracy theories about AIs and corporations aren't just background noise—they're world-building at its finest. And isn't this exactly what made GTA IV's Liberty City feel so alive? Those soapbox preachers in Star Junction weren't just set dressing; they were commentary.

In Cyberpunk 2077, if you engage with Garry enough times, he leads you to a fascinating side mission. This gradual reveal of content based on player curiosity is something GTA 6 should absolutely adopt. Imagine:

• First encounter: You hear a conspiracy theorist ranting on a street corner

• Multiple interactions: Each time you pass, you learn more about their theories

• Mission unlock: Eventually, they trust you enough to ask for help with something

What makes this approach special is how organic it feels. You're not just checking off mission markers; you're building relationships with the world's characters. And based on what we've seen from GTA 6 leaks, Rockstar seems to be thinking along similar lines with their own conspiracy theorist character.

🎯 Stadium Love: Humanizing Your Enemies

This might be my favorite lesson from Cyberpunk 2077. Stadium Love is that mission where you can actually have a friendly shooting competition with 6th Street gang members—the same people you've been killing throughout the game. It's a brilliant narrative device that asks: what if your enemies aren't just obstacles, but people with their own cultures and codes?

As I stood there at the shooting range, competing rather than fighting, I had this revelation: this single mission did more to flesh out Night City's factions than a dozen combat encounters. Now, apply this to GTA 6's gangs:

1. Initial hostility: You encounter a gang as enemies

2. Special circumstance: A mission creates temporary alliance or competition

3. Perspective shift: You see them as more than just "bad guys"

Could you imagine having a street race with a rival crew instead of a shootout? Or working together temporarily against a common threat? These moments create moral complexity that makes a world feel real.

🔮 Looking Ahead to 2026

As I think about what makes these Cyberpunk 2077 missions so memorable, I realize they all share something important: they treat the open world not as a playground, but as a character. Each mission reveals something new about Night City's soul—its darkness, its humor, its contradictions.

Rockstar has always been masterful at this, but in 2026, player expectations have evolved. We don't just want bigger maps; we want deeper connections. We want missions that surprise us, that make us laugh unexpectedly, that give us pause before pulling the trigger.

The beauty is that these lessons from Cyberpunk 2077 aren't about copying content—they're about understanding what makes side content meaningful. Whether it's:

• ❤️ Emotional engagement through personal stories

• 😂 Satire that comments on real-world issues

• 🎮 Gameplay variety beyond combat

• 🏙️ World-building through minor characters

These elements transcend genre. A good story is a good story, whether it's told in a cybernetic future or a satirical present.

So as we await GTA 6's release, I find myself wondering: what if the most memorable moments aren't the big heists or story missions, but the small stories you stumble upon in back alleys, the eccentric characters who become unexpected friends, the missions that make you see the world differently? If Rockstar can capture that magic—the same magic I found in Night City's darkest corners—then we might be looking at something truly special in 2026.

After all, isn't that what great open-world games do? They don't just give us a world to explore; they give us stories that stay with us long after we've turned off the console. And if Cyberpunk 2077's side missions have taught me anything, it's that sometimes the smallest stories cast the longest shadows.