Grand Theft Auto VI: Return to Vice City, a new generation of crime and the largest open world in Rockstar history

On May 6, 2025, Rockstar Games released the second official trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI. The video, shot on PlayStation 5, was not just a visual demonstration of technical capabilities, but also a full-fledged opening of a new stage in the development of the series. At the same time, new details about the characters, setting, plot and structure of the world appeared on the official website.

The studio confirmed that the new part will be the largest project in the history of the franchise, returning players to the iconic Vice City, reworked for the realities of the 2020s. Instead of a bright parody of Miami of the 80s, we are waiting for a modern metropolis, where social networks, street culture, the rap industry, drug trafficking and digital technologies are intertwined into a single criminal landscape.

The story takes place in the fictional State of Leonidas, inspired by Florida. The plot focuses on two main characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Jason is a former soldier who grew up surrounded by small-time swindlers and is involved with the local criminal community. He dreams of starting a new life, but each new case leads to increasingly dangerous consequences.

Lucia is a woman with a difficult past, recently released from prison. She is pragmatic, tough and understands that she will not go far alone. What unites them is not romance, but the need to survive and achieve more. Their relationship is built on a delicate balance between trust and pragmatism - a union in which any mistake can be fatal.

Together, they become embroiled in a statewide web of crime, conspiracy, and corruption. Their story unfolds in a modern social drama, with the characters' motivations revealed through their personal tragedies, ambitions, and fears.

Rockstar pays a lot of attention to the supporting characters, each of whom reveals a different side of Leonida's world. Among them are conspiracy theorists, former rappers, nightclub divas, drug lords, robbers and smugglers. All of these heroes have their own goals, connections and agendas, influencing the development of events.

These aren't just extras, but full-fledged participants in the storylines. Characters like Cal Hampton, Jason's paranoid friend, or Boobie Ike, a former street thug who made a career in legitimate business, give the game's world density and realism. The entertainment industry, rap scene, internet culture, and criminal market all merge into a single ecosystem in which the player must navigate, seek allies, and make difficult decisions.

The world of GTA VI itself is much larger than previous games in the series. The state of Leonidas is made up of several large regions with different geography, architecture, population, and threat levels. Vice City is the main metropolis, where beaches coexist with ghettos, luxury, and poverty. Cuban and Haitian-inspired neighborhoods, neon streets, and art deco buildings highlight the scale and cultural diversity.

In addition to the city, players will be able to visit the Leonidas Keys archipelago, which hosts parties, smuggling deals, and sea robberies. The Grassrivers swamps hide not only wild animals, but also camps of illegal groups. There is also Port Gellhorn, a dirty, abandoned area with an economy based on energy drinks, stimulants, and underground clubs.

There are also industrial areas like Ambrosia, controlled by bikers and unions, and Mount Kalaga, a northern wilderness full of survivalists, hunters, and those running from the law.

Each location has its own NPC behavior system, unique architecture, and missions. Rockstar promises a realistic simulation of a living world: the transport system, passersby behavior algorithms, dynamic weather, and social networks in the game world will play an important role. The trailer also features short clips of viral videos - perhaps the game will feature a full-fledged in-game TikTok platform, where player actions will be distributed as content.

GTA VI will be the first numbered part of the series since 2013, when GTA V was released. During this time, the project has gone through several development phases, and now, according to the studio, is in the final stage. Rockstar itself positions the game as the pinnacle of its developments over 25 years. The main emphasis is on a deep story with a dual perspective, immersion in the atmosphere of the southern states of the USA and a satirical understanding of modern culture. Unlike previous parts, the plot will be more dramatic and personal: the game does not simply ridicule, but shows how social and economic realities shape crime, identity and choice.

Grand Theft Auto VI is set to release on May 26, 2026. The game will appear on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A PC version has not been announced, and will most likely be released later, according to Rockstar's traditional scheme. Expectations for the project are colossal: after more than 200 million copies of GTA V sold, the new part should not just match the level, but surpass it in all respects. So far, judging by the trailers and announced information, Rockstar is confidently moving in this direction.