Rockstar North developers began field research for Grand Theft Auto VI in 2015, conducting immersive trips to Miami to capture the region’s history and social atmosphere. The studio’s lead developers confirmed to The Guardian that exploratory research trips to Miami informed the creation of Leonida, the game’s expansive, ultra-detailed virtual Florida setting.
How did developers research the Florida setting?
The development team prioritized immersion, visiting the region to experience the environment firsthand. Rob Nelson, a lead developer, told The Guardian that the team focused on the “juxtaposition between the extremes of society” present in Miami.
Researchers engaged in activities ranging from police ridealongs in South Beach to visiting bars in the Florida Keys.
Artists often explored neighborhoods with cameras to document architectural and cultural details. Jennifer Kolbe, a senior executive at Rockstar, said that these experiences allow the team to grant players access to environments they might otherwise never encounter.
Why is the game’s detail considered unique?
Rockstar Games employed nearly 5,000 people to build the world of Leonida. “The game is so vast that no one person could hold enough of it in their heads,” Rob Nelson, a lead developer, told me, explaining that the project's scale requires a small group of long-term decision-makers to oversee specific creative elements.
The studio’s commitment to detail extends to micro-level animations. During demonstrations, Nelson highlighted character behaviors like eating a donut while holding a beer, or the way liquid sloshes inside bottles when a character moves. This level of production quality is supported by long-term investment from parent company Take-Two Interactive.
Can Rockstar create games outside of America?
While the studio is famous for its depictions of US cities, the possibility of an international setting remains open. Nelson said that while they have not ruled out other locations, the team believes they can still find creative opportunities within the United States.
He emphasized that the development team, which is largely based outside of the US, views itself as an outsider to the American experience. This perspective, according to Nelson, allows them to portray the country’s vast contradictions without claiming to represent any singular, complete version of it.
What is the status of other game releases?
While the industry focus remains on the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI, other titles are launching in the same window. The whimsical simulation game Tanuki: Pon’s Summer has been released.
The game tasks players with restoring a rural shrine and cleaning up trash in a community, offering a contrast to the high-intensity nature of the Grand Theft Auto series. Meanwhile, the cooperative game Big Walk has faced industry scrutiny following a disclosure by developers House regarding their use of large language models to resolve coding challenges.
Developers may draw attention in certain neighborhoods
Developers generally remain semi-undercover during their visits. “But if you have a bunch of dorks going through a terrifying neighbourhood, you do stick out a bit,” Rob Nelson, a lead developer, told The Guardian, noting that while they aim to blend in, a group of developers wandering through certain neighborhoods can occasionally draw attention.
Rockstar games provide an experience where players define their own actions outside of the main story. Yes, Nintendo is currently hiring a historian and librarian. The role is intended to help document and preserve the development history of the company’s games and hardware.