Grand Theft Auto, or GTA, is known for its obsessive attention to the urban and non-urban settings of its scenes, developed in great detail. Over time, the game’s settings have left a mark on our collective memory, almost like a real landscape. The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, released in December 2023, showcased the new protagonists and the open world of the next installment in the series. But although fans of the game, whose first version dates back to 1997, will have to wait until 2025 to explore the fictional state of Leonida, they can already visit some famous locations in Florida that GTA BOOM experts have identified and which have surely inspired the game’s setting.
Check out the gallery to discover them.
5 places and architectures that inspired GTA 6's new Vice City
One of the most famous game series ever is back with a new chapter, inspired by some of the most iconic locations you can visit in Florida.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Imagine courtesy of Rockstar Games.
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- Lucia Brandoli
- 16 June 2024
This aerial shot seems to show the famous Bahia Honda Bridge, connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key, and is part of the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys to Key West. The scene suggests that in GTA VI, players will be able to navigate a GTA-esque version of the Florida Keys.
Another scene shows a typical fan boat traversing the swamps, inevitably bringing to mind Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness area in the United States, home to numerous rare and endangered species, including crocodiles and flamingos.
A suggestive night shot then recalls the Venetian Causeway between Miami and Miami Beach on a barrier island. This will likely be one of the main routes for driving between the central locations in the game. The Venetian Causeway can also be traveled on foot or by bike, offering spectacular views of both the surrounding water and the city skyline.
The large, crowded beaches in the trailer will remind players who have already visited Vice City in the past. Miami Beach is famous for its nine miles of seaside resorts, which contribute to its booming tourist economy. The main shots in the trailer seem to capture South Beach, with background architecture inspired by the Royal Palm South Beach Miami resort.
Another location that returns in various versions of GTA is Ocean Drive, very similar to the real Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami. The GTA VI version is characterized by buildings inspired by real hotels, such as the 1939 Colony Hotel, and a sign for the Oceanview Hotel from GTA: Vice City.
The trailer scenes featuring murals recall the Wynwood district, north of Downtown Miami and west of Miami Beach. This area has become Miami’s cultural hub, dedicated to contemporary art, with museums, galleries, and widespread street art.