For the first time, Rockstar has shared in-depth details about the world of GTA 6. In the Game Informer cover story published on September 29, 2026, the studio explained how they designed Vice City and the entire Leonida map.

What Did Rockstar Say?

Senior environment artist Aaron Garbut described the map as "by far the biggest we've ever made." Narrative Vice President Rupert Humphries summed up the story-exploration balance: "We don't have time to take you everywhere, but we want you to feel and discover most places." In other words, the main story won't take you to every corner of the map; exploration is left up to the player.

The Six Regions of Leonida

The map is roughly twice the size of GTA 5's combined Los Santos and Blaine County. The world consists of six main regions:

• Vice City (rebuilt and expanded for a modern era)
• Leonida Keys
• Grassrivers (a swampy region inspired by the Everglades)
• Port Gellhorn
• Ambrosia
• Mount Kalaga National Park

Mount Kalaga draws inspiration from rural Florida towns like Panama City, Jacksonville, and Ocala, filled with details like lumber mills, private airstrips, and small, economically struggling communities.

Design Philosophy: A Unified World

According to Garbut, the team obsessed over every detail, from rooftops and back alleys to building interiors and the spaces in between. The goal was to create a seamless, interconnected world rather than separate, isolated regions.

Rockstar doesn't copy real Florida landmarks like Disney World or Universal Studios. Instead, they select landscapes and locations that serve gameplay and create their own versions. This smart approach captures the spirit of Florida while avoiding copyright or realism issues.

Environmental Diversity and Activities

Beyond the city center, you'll find swamps, beaches, abandoned theme parks, industrial zones, and rural areas up north. Activities include ATV trails, mud tracks, demolition derbies, mountain biking, motocross, farms, ranches, golf, and bass fishing.

With such a diverse map, players can explore for weeks outside the main story. Even GTA 5 didn’t offer this wide a range of activities.

Getting Ready for Launch

GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC version not included at launch. Before you dive into this massive world, make sure your console account is ready. Preload your PlayStation Store funds now to be ready for pre-order or day one access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bigger is the GTA 6 map compared to GTA 5?

According to Rockstar, Leonida is roughly twice the size of GTA 5's Los Santos and Blaine County combined.

Does the main story take you to every part of the map?

No. As Rockstar states, the story won’t bring you to every corner; most of the map is left for players to discover on their own.