Highlights
- Rockstar's research trips helped shape Leonida's setting and visual identity.
- The studio is developing a satirical portrayal of contemporary American life.
- Developers explain how realism and player experience influence GTA 6’s design.
Rockstar Games has drawn on Florida's social contrasts, political culture, and local communities to develop Leonida, the fictional state featured in GTA 6. In an interview published in Issue 27 of LOVE magazine, developers discussed the years of research and environmental storytelling behind the game.
They further explained how exaggerated depictions of contemporary America shaped its fictional world.
GTA 6 Developers Detail Florida Research
Aaron Garbut, head of development and co-studio head at Rockstar North, stated that the research began with trips from Miami through surrounding towns and the Florida Keys to Key West. Developers documented locations, spoke with residents, and explored different aspects of the region, including its criminal underworld.
Garbut recalled filming the Everglades, Miami's downtown, and beaches from a helicopter. The team also spent time with police officers and gang members to understand the area's contrasting realities.
Michael Kane, Rockstar's vice president of art for dynamic, explained that visual references informed the game's characters, including their clothing, cosmetics, hairstyles, and individual styles. Leonida includes locations such as Vice City, the Leonida Keys, Port Gellhorn, Grass Rivers, Ambrosia, and Mount Kalaga.
Rockstar Uses Exaggerated Humor to Portray Modern America
Rupert Humphries, senior vice president of narrative, pointed out that Rockstar avoids directly recreating specific political figures, events, or movements. Instead, the studio exaggerates issues such as conspiracy theories and culture wars.
The game's world will communicate these themes through election signs, campaign robocalls, advertisements, political talk shows, and pedestrian conversations. Dedicated writers across New York, Los Angeles, and London are developing this material.
Humphries added that the studio aims to exaggerate and absurdly distort contemporary life rather than reproduce reality without interpretation.
GTA 6 Revisits the American Dream
Humphries stated GTA 6 explores the illusion of America as a land of opportunity through an immigrant's story, while GTA 5 adopted a more cynical perspective. In GTA 6, the American Dream centers on goals such as owning a home and paying off loans, which can remain inaccessible to ordinary people.
The narrative follows Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, whose contrasting motivations shape their relationship. Lucia seeks a better life, while players can interpret whether Jason's criminal activities stem from material circumstances or personal choices.
Game writers Elizabeth Gauvey-Kern and Alexa D'Agostino said Lucia was developed as a vulnerable, flawed, and capable protagonist. The narrative also introduces Raul, an experienced criminal who guides the younger pair into larger heists and brings local knowledge of Vice City.
Rockstar Balances Realism With Player Experience
Rob Nelson, head of development and co-studio head at Rockstar North, stated the studio balances realism with player convenience to maintain immersion without making gameplay tedious. He described an iterative process built around eight-week development milestones.
The article also highlights Rockstar's approach of combining detailed environments, character-driven storytelling, and humor to build an immersive world beyond the main narrative.
