Rockstar Traveled Across Florida With Gang Members and Cops for GTA 6 Research

For the development of GTA 6, Rockstar Games' team of creators immersed themselves in the culture and landscape of Florida. To build an authentic virtual world, the studio organized research trips, beginning with a small group of individuals who scouted out key locations and stories in Miami. As more team members joined subsequent trips, they delved deeper into the culture, stories, and people of the region.

Head of development Aaron Garbut explained that these research trips were crucial for understanding both the physical location and the creative ideas behind the game. A memorable research trip involved a group of Rockstar developers flying low over mangrove inlets in the Everglades and hovering above a stadium during a Beyoncé concert.

While some of the experiences were terrifying, the team aimed to capture the extremes of Miami - from the nicest locals to the most unsettling stories and details. Rockstar Games' approach to GTA 6 involves avoiding real-world viral moments that could date the game and instead focusing on satire related to modern culture, conspiracy theories, and people's reactions to events.