In a new Grand Theft Auto 6 preview published by Game Informer, Rockstar was asked if famous central Florida locations such as Disney World or Orlando would be represented in some form in the upcoming open-world game. The response seems to indicate that GTA 6 fans shouldn’t plan a virtual road trip to some parody version of Disney World.
On Tuesday, as part of its large 14-page preview of GTA 6, Game Informer asked about central Florida locations like Orlando and Disney World. The outlet also asked about the east coast of the state, specifically about NASA’s Space Center and the Space Force base in Cape Canaveral. These are locations we’ve not seen reflected in official gameplay videos, screenshots, trailers, or even leaks. And Rockstar’s senior vice president of environment art, Paul MacPherson, seemed to suggest that those exact landmarks will not be located in the game’s massive world.
“We have to constantly evaluate the diversity of landscapes, towns, structures, landmarks, vistas, plant species, rock formations, and everything else before we work with design and narrative to distill a list down that best works with and serves the game’s needs,” said MacPherson. “So, while we may not have those exact locations, everything we have is geared to getting that full Florida experience!”
That does leave some wiggle room for some parts of central or eastern Florida, possibly a theme park or space operations base, to be included in some form in GTA 6. But it does seem to shut the door on the idea that Rockstar has some big Disney World parody or version of Orlando waiting for players to run about and cause chaos in come November 19. Then again, it seems like Disney will be parodied in the game in some fashion, based on a Minnie Mouse-style character spotted in the gameplay reveal that seems connected to Fred’s Pictures, an in-universe Disney-like company first referenced in GTA V. So hmmm…
Whatever the situation, it does at least seem like some parts of central Florida will be represented in the game. Official marketing materials have clued players in to the existence of a large alligator-themed park that seems to be directly inspired by the long-running Gatorland, a gator-filled amusement park and zoo located south of Orlando. I visited it as a kid when I lived in Florida. It’s a weird place. I ate some gator meat there for the first time. Tasted pretty good.
Anyway, its inclusion seems to indicate that Rockstar isn’t ignoring central Florida, but instead taking bits of it and incorporating them into its digital recreation of the state.
We don’t have to wait too much longer to explore Grand Theft Auto 6′s massive map. The game launches on November 19 on PS5 and Xbox. I’ll be visiting Gatorland ASAP.
