It’s solely been just a few months since Rockstar Video games unveiled the primary gameplay trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, and but, the hype remains to be infectious. Although it’s confirmed to launch in 2025 for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5 and PC, father or mother firm Take-Two Interactive says the event crew is “looking for perfection” when commenting on a launch date (learn: “Don’t anticipate it on this fiscal yr”). When the subsequent trailer may drop is anybody’s guess, however one factor is for positive – with over 176 million views, there’s nonetheless lots to glean from the primary.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is about in Leonida, a parody of Florida, and options three distinct counties – Leonard County (seemingly impressed by Broward County), Kelly County (probably primarily based on Collier County and Vice-Dale County (just like Miami-Dade County, the place Vice Metropolis is situated). Although the trailer opens with a penitentiary and an introduction of deuteragonist Lucia, it’s not lengthy earlier than the luxurious web site of Vice Metropolis Seaside and Downtown Vice Metropolis are showcased, each wanting even nearer to their real-life Miami variations than ever.
About 19 seconds in, Florida’s Everglades, the place varied flooded grasslands and ecosystems like Florida Bay reside, is seemingly showcased. There may be some extremely various geography, but additionally price noting is that three airplanes crashed within the space all through historical past. Maybe there could also be some derelict planes in-game that gamers can uncover, if not partaking in missions that contain treasured landings within the area.
After that, we’re rapidly taken again to the seashore and PortViceCity (once more primarily based on PortMiami, which serves one of many United States’ largest cargo ports). At about 26 seconds, whereas dashing down the freeway, a sports activities area could be seen within the background, which seemingly resembles the NBA Area. Whereas VCI Airport in Kelly County is seen on the overhead instructions board, Catalan Boulevard is arguably extra fascinating. Situated in Stockyard Downtown, followers theorize that it’s primarily based on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami, which might place Stockyard in Downtown Vice Metropolis.
Catalan is utilized in Catalonia as its official language (although Spanish can be used), whereas Biscayne refers back to the Basque folks and their house, Basque Nation. Because of the nation mendacity on the border between France and Spain, Northern Basque Nation is contained inside the former (with French being the predominant language) whereas Southern Basque Nation is within the latter (known as Spanish Basque Nation with Spanish because the predominant language).
The connections are a bit tenuous, however as a consequence of Biscayne Boulevard truly present, it’s believable. The actual-world location additionally options some fascinating sights just like the retro-modern resort Vagabond and Freedom Tower, a 78-meter tall construction which serves as a nationwide landmark, which suggests each may seem within the full recreation.
After all, there’s additionally Key Biscayne, situated in Miami-Dade County (consistent with Catalan Boulevard being located in Vice-Dale County). It’s truly an island close to Biscayne Bay and options Biscayne Nationwide Park and Invoice Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Space, the latter having a museum and actions like bicycling, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and extra. Once more, whether or not these seem or not is up within the air and depending on Biscayne’s connection to Catalan, however it’s not unimaginable contemplating how well-known these places are in Florida.
Round 37 seconds in is an enormous freeway linked to numerous smaller islands, that are believed to be the Florida Keys, an archipelago the place fishing and tourism (together with actions like scuba diving) are massive. Scout Key can be the place a whole lot collect for star-gazing and photographing the evening sky. It will not be probably the most explosive exercise in a Grand Theft Auto recreation, however may doubtlessly function a calming location with a stunning skybox, and maybe a spot the place Lucia and Jason may have some downtime.
The freeway connecting these is the Abroad Freeway, a part of US 1 and spanning an enormous 113 miles. The decrease left nook of the shot is believed to be the mainland, so the real-life freeway could also be condensed to suit the general pacing of the exploration in-game. Of explicit word is the unfinished bridge close by, an unmistakable reference to the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge in actual life.
The overhead shot of Vice Metropolis at 32 seconds is spectacular, showcasing the evolution of the skyline and structure from Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis. Shortly after, we see Downtown Vice Metropolis with varied inns, together with Resort Dixon, within the background. Apparently, it’s theorized to be primarily based on Resort Victor in Ocean Drive, Miami Seaside, due to the title of its architect, Lawrence Murray Dixon. It’s just too handy to be a coincidence.
The Boardwalk Resort seemingly resembles the Colony Resort, which is way additional down Ocean Drive. Nevertheless, there’s a chance of it additionally being just like Breakwater, principally because of the entrance of the constructing and the way its indicators are organized. It’s fairly far down the road from Resort Victor however not as a lot as Colony Resort (and the final structure of the road seems nearer to the trailer). Once more, it’s doubtlessly one other case of Rockstar condensing places for the sake of pacing and exploration.
As such, there’s no scarcity of well-known places, however Lummus Park also needs to be fascinating. Situated proper throughout the road, it provides a playground and health gear. There’s room for a volleyball courtroom and skateboarding space, permitting for some recent in-game actions. If nothing else, it wouldn’t be shocking to see a reference to Keepie-Uppy seashore ball from Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis, the place gamers should constantly bounce a seashore ball (for no different goal than to see what number of bounces are doable).
There may be a lot we nonetheless don’t learn about Grand Theft Auto 6. Regardless of followers creating intensive maps, charting the assorted streets and corners of the state, some areas like Leonard County are full unknowns (although it’s probably that Fort Lauderdale, the well-known “yachting capital of the world” may seem). With Leonard County Sheriff ceaselessly showcased by the trailer, Lucia and Jason might run afoul of the top honchos of the division in the end. Perhaps they begin within the county and after committing sufficient petty crimes, graduate to the massive time, hanging out in Vice Metropolis and turning into embroiled with the legal underworld.
Time will inform, however it’s thrilling for followers main as much as the title’s launch. How the streets will examine to their real-world places, how varied non-playable characters will stay out their lives and the schedules they might doubtlessly have, the entire complicated secrets and techniques – particularly if Rockstar does extra with the ocean this time – there’s quite a bit to dig by. Whether or not you’re eager on racing by the streets and inflicting widespread destruction, stress-free in a penthouse residence (assuming it’s an choice) or traversing the world, taking pictures, Grand Theft Auto 6 seems like it will likely be a generational expertise and properly well worth the wait.
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