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The Grand Theft Auto 6 development team stated that some members traveled to Florida and interacted with police officers and gang members for research into the culture of Miami and nearby areas. GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, which includes the sprawling streets of Vice City.
Rockstar Games Explored South Florida for GTA 6 Research
Although GTA 6 will avoid being too specific in parodying political topics, the developers conducted research into the culture that inspired Vice City and Leonida. As reported by IGN, GTA 6‘s head of development, Aaron Garbut, stated in an interview with Love Magazine that Rockstar Games traveled around Florida alongside police and gang members to get a feel for what the culture of the state was like. As the team’s research continued, more developers flew down to Miami to join the project and lend a hand. Garbut said that a small team started their research in Miami and the surrounding area, including the Everglades and the Florida Keys. The development head took a phone and a camera to record as many sights as possible. Garbut said, “We experience the underside as well; although the people who showed us around were among the nicest we’ve met, the stories, the places, the details could be terrifying.”
- Released
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November 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+