10 New Things We Just Learned About GTA 6 from Game Informer’s Latest Issue

Rockstar Games has once again offered a closer look at its long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6, with the latest issue of Game Informer unveiling a fresh batch of details about the game’s story, sprawling map, and living world. The report confirms that players will begin their journey as Jason while Lucia remains imprisoned, reveals that Leonida is twice the size of GTA V’s Los Santos area, and outlines six distinct regions ranging from Vice City to Mount Kalaga National Park. Beyond the geography, the article also details a rideshare system called RydeMe, dynamic weather patterns complete with hurricanes, over 170 wildlife species, and what appears to be Rockstar’s most diverse cast of NPCs yet.

A Story Spanning All of Leonida

The narrative is set to open with players taking control of Jason, who begins driving around the Leonida Quays completing smaller jobs. Lucia, a newcomer from Liberty City who has relocated to Leonida, remains behind bars at the start of the game, with her imprisonment tied to complications involving her family. Once she is released, the two team up for what they believe will be a straightforward score driven by their shared desire to live wealthier lives. According to the report, that job goes wrong and sets off a mystery that unfolds across the entire state.

The map itself has become one of the most discussed topics surrounding the title, with years of speculation online now answered in part. Rockstar confirms that Leonida is roughly twice as large as the GTA V map and describes it as its biggest world yet “by some degree.” The landmass divides into six distinct areas: Vice City, which mirrors Miami and likely serves as the primary hub; Grassrivers, a stand-in for the Everglades; Port Gellhorn, representing smaller towns that double as tourist traps; Ambrosia, described as the industrial heart of Leonida packed with factories and distilleries; and Mount Kalaga National Park, home to off-road events alongside more affluent neighborhoods.

A Living World That Breathes

Beyond geography, the report emphasizes how deeply interactive Leonida’s environment appears to be. A rideshare service called RydeMe expands on the cab-hailing mechanic popularized in GTA IV, allowing players to chat with other passengers, listen to music, and travel between locations while observing the world pass by.

The weather system is similarly ambitious, capturing Florida’s notoriously turbulent climate through dynamic, localized conditions that play out across the entire map rather than just around the player. Pilots can spot thunderstorms in the distance or clear skies simultaneously, and under the right storm conditions a dynamic rainbow may form while rain still falls elsewhere. Wind has been overhauled since Red Dead Redemption 2, with clothing, hair, and objects reacting realistically; ripples appear across bodies of water when it blows hard.

The map is split into six different areas, and they are: Vice City, Leonida Quays, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, and the Mount Kalaga National Park. Vice City is obviously based on Miami, and probably where you’ll spend the most of your time.

Game Informer

Hurricanes add another layer to this system, with Rockstar noting that gutters can overflow and affect nearby surroundings. While gameplay implications remain unclear, fans hope for consequences such as gusts affecting driving or floods rendering entire routes impassable.

A World Full of Life

The state’s biodiversity is equally impressive, featuring more than 170 species including 60 birds and over 30 land mammals. The report specifically calls out manatees, flamingos, pelicans, alligators, feral cats, king toads, armadillos, non-native monkeys, sharks, whales, rays, turtles, and jellyfish, with animal fur designed to react by appearing wet, matted with dirt, or pressed down. Players can also expect a wide range of activities drawn from earlier trailers, including base jumping, billiards, gym workouts, kayaking, racing, zoo visits, airboating, jet-skiing, and mini-golf.

The people themselves are equally detailed, with Rockstar describing the most diverse cast in its history. However, NPC appearances will not be entirely randomized; instead they reflect factors such as location, origin, and residence, meaning different areas of Leonida feature distinct clothing styles, tattoos, and haircuts.

Looking Ahead

These findings come from the current issue of Game Informer, now available in stores and online. For those wanting the full depth of Rockstar’s reporting, the complete feature remains accessible through that publication. As anticipation continues to build for Grand Theft Auto 6, these details offer one of the most comprehensive looks yet at how Rockstar intends to bring Leonida to life.