Grand Theft Auto has always been known for creating cities that feel alive, complex, and strangely familiar. From Liberty City’s gritty version of New York to Los Santos’ vibrant take on Los Angeles, Rockstar Games has mastered the art of blending fiction with reality. Now, with GTA 6, fans are eager to explore the next virtual metropolis—and all signs point to a return to Vice City, inspired by the sun-soaked energy and diversity of Miami, Florida. But the game’s world goes beyond one city. Recent details and analysis suggest that Rockstar has drawn inspiration from multiple real-life locations across the United States to create the most ambitious open world in its history.
The Heart of Vice City
At the core of GTA 6’s world is Vice City, Rockstar’s fictional version of Miami. First introduced in 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, it became one of the most beloved settings in gaming history, known for its neon lights, beaches, and 1980s charm. For GTA 6, Rockstar is bringing it back to life in a modern era, blending the city’s tropical vibrancy with a realistic portrayal of urban life in the 2020s.
Miami serves as the perfect muse. Its mix of cultures, languages, and architectural styles offers Rockstar a dynamic foundation. The city’s skyline, filled with glass towers, sits beside art deco hotels, pastel-colored streets, and the iconic Ocean Drive. The game will likely recreate Miami’s distinct geography—from the bustling downtown and nightlife of South Beach to the quieter residential neighborhoods and sprawling suburbs.
But this Vice City won’t just be a copy of Miami; it will be an expanded, reimagined version that stretches beyond what players expect. Rockstar’s goal is to capture the soul of the city rather than just its map, reflecting its energy, contradictions, and ever-changing identity.
The Influence of South Florida
Beyond the city center, GTA 6 appears to draw heavily from the wider South Florida region. Leaked footage and insider reports suggest large rural areas, swampy landscapes, and smaller towns—echoing places like the Florida Keys, the Everglades, and even central Florida’s countryside. This marks a major expansion from the relatively contained maps of past games.
These areas could provide an enormous variety of environments. One moment players might be speeding through a high-rise district lined with luxury cars; the next, they could be navigating muddy backroads filled with wildlife and hidden criminal outposts. The Everglades-inspired zones could feature unique gameplay elements such as airboats, alligators, and swamp-based missions. The Florida Keys may offer island-hopping adventures connected by long bridges over turquoise water, adding both visual beauty and gameplay depth.
This variety gives GTA 6 the potential to be the most diverse and visually striking open world Rockstar has ever built.
Latin American and Caribbean Connections
Miami’s culture has always been influenced by Latin America and the Caribbean, and it’s expected that GTA 6 will embrace this cultural richness in both design and story. Cuban, Haitian, and Dominican communities shape the real Miami, and the same could be true for Vice City. This influence might appear in the music, food, street art, and even the fashion that players encounter.
There are also hints that Rockstar could expand the playable map beyond U.S. borders, including islands that resemble parts of the Caribbean. These could serve as secondary locations for missions related to smuggling, piracy, or exotic trade, reflecting real-world issues connected to South Florida’s geography. Such areas might also provide visual contrast—lush tropical beaches and remote hideouts far from the crowded urban center.
This cross-cultural approach would make GTA 6 not just a game set in a city, but a reflection of an entire region’s diverse influences.
Modern America Reflected in Vice City
While earlier GTA titles focused on parodying American culture of their time, GTA 6 is expected to deliver a more grounded, yet still satirical, look at modern America. Miami’s real-life mix of wealth, inequality, and constant reinvention makes it a perfect mirror for today’s social climate. From influencer culture to real estate bubbles and the digital hustle of modern life, the setting allows Rockstar to explore the absurd and the serious sides of the American dream.
Visually, this might translate into detailed recreations of modern landmarks. High-end condos overlooking the ocean, luxurious yachts docked along the marina, and sprawling mansions on private islands could all make appearances. Meanwhile, players might also explore struggling neighborhoods, abandoned industrial areas, and hidden corners of the city that tell a different story about class and survival.
This contrast between glamour and grit—between paradise and chaos—captures the essence of both Miami and the Grand Theft Auto universe.
A Living, Breathing World
Rockstar’s ambition with GTA 6 goes beyond creating a realistic backdrop. The team wants the world to feel alive. Every corner of Vice City and its surrounding regions is expected to be populated with unique NPCs, activities, and small stories that bring the environment to life. The people on the streets will reflect Miami’s real demographics, speaking multiple languages, showcasing varied lifestyles, and reacting dynamically to player behavior.
Weather and time will also play a bigger role than ever before. Expect heavy tropical storms, sudden rain showers, and the hazy heat of summer afternoons. These elements will not only enhance realism but influence how players interact with the world. Flooded streets or lightning-filled skies could affect driving, combat, or visibility, adding a layer of immersion that makes every session feel different.
Real Locations That May Inspire Vice City
Several real-life locations are believed to directly influence Vice City’s design. Ocean Drive, known for its pastel hotels and palm-lined streets, is likely the inspiration for the city’s main beach strip. Downtown Miami and Brickell could shape the business district, filled with skyscrapers and luxury apartments. Little Havana and Little Haiti might inspire neighborhoods rich in cultural detail, from local music to street food.
Rockstar is also known for including fictional versions of famous landmarks. Players could expect to see reinterpretations of Miami’s Port area, the art-filled Wynwood Walls, and even the iconic South Beach nightlife. Outside the city, areas resembling the Florida Keys and Everglades will probably showcase winding highways, open water, and wildlife that feels almost cinematic.
Each of these locations, while fictionalized, adds authenticity and variety, turning the map into a living postcard of the modern American south.
The Bigger Picture of Rockstar’s Vision
Rockstar has always aimed to create worlds that feel like living parodies of the real world while maintaining emotional depth and believability. With GTA 6, that balance may reach its peak. By drawing inspiration from Miami and the greater Florida region, the studio has chosen a setting that is both visually stunning and culturally complex. It’s a place where beauty and danger coexist, where every sunrise hides a story, and where ambition often meets consequence.
Vice City, as envisioned for this new era, won’t just be a nostalgic return; it will be a reinvention. It represents a fusion of past and present, capturing the atmosphere of a city that’s constantly in motion—just like the series itself. For players, this means more than a new map to explore. It’s an invitation to experience the most authentic and emotionally resonant world Rockstar has ever built, one that blurs the boundaries between digital fantasy and real-life inspiration.