Highlights
- Rob Nelson's comments leave room for GTA to explore settings outside the U.S.
- Rockstar's previous location plans reveal how close the franchise came to an overseas instalment.
- Take-Two's outlook suggests potential changes to how often Rockstar releases franchise content.
Rockstar Games could take the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise beyond the United States (U.S.) in a future installment. Rockstar North co-studio head, Rob Nelson, has refused to rule out an international setting.
Speaking to The Guardian on Nov 11, 2026, Nelson stated, “Never say never, but there’s still so much to do” in America, leaving the possibility open without confirming any plans for GTA 7.
The comments offer a fresh perspective about the franchise's future as GTA 6 prepares to launch on Nov 19, 2026. The upcoming game returns to Vice City, Rockstar's fictional version of Miami, and introduces the wider state of Leonida.
GTA's Abandoned International Locations
Rockstar has previously considered moving the franchise overseas.
Former Rockstar North technical director, Obbe Vermeij, revealed that GTA: Tokyo was seriously considered, with a Japanese developer potentially handling production. Other locations discussed included Moscow, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, London, and Paris. However, none of these concepts became a completed game.
Vermeij expressed doubts about Rockstar abandoning American settings in January 2026, arguing that their cultural familiarity makes them safer choices for expensive productions.
Rockstar's Next Steps After GTA 6
Rockstar's commitment to researching locations also explains its continued interest in American settings. According to the report, developers first travelled to Miami in 2015 to research GTA 6. The team studied neighborhoods, local architecture, nightlife, and the city's contrasting social environments.
The game has involved almost 5K individuals, with Nelson overseeing narrative, design, and animation. Its development has taken more than a decade, reflecting the scale of Rockstar's latest recreation of America.
Separately, Take-Two CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told IGN that the release frequency of games from Rockstar's major franchises, including GTA, could change significantly over the next decade. His comments have raised questions about whether fans will have to wait another 13 years for GTA 7, although he did not confirm a shorter development cycle or provide a release window for the next installment.
Nelson's remarks put international locations back on the table, but leave America's role in GTA's future unresolved.
