To create GTA 6, different Rockstar Games teams traveled to Florida over the past ten years. During those visits, they explored Miami and the surrounding area, speaking with residents, former criminals, police officers, gun dealers and people involved in local nightlife.
The information came from Rupert Humphries, Rockstar's vice president of narrative, in a Dazed feature by journalist Thom Waite.
According to Humphries, the developers wanted to hear real stories that could inspire GTA 6's characters and events.
Real stories helped create the characters
During their trips, the team met people from different professions and walks of life to understand their experiences, behavior and connections to crime. Humphries revealed that many of the game's characters grew out of these conversations.
Among the characters introduced by Rockstar are Brian Heder, a smuggler operating in Leonida's islands, Raul Bautista, an experienced bank robber, and Boobie Ike, a Vice City businessman who runs a nightclub and music businesses.
These characters represent some of the different criminal circles players will encounter during the story.
Miami's culture also received attention
Beyond those stories, Rockstar studied the customs, clothes, neighborhoods and everyday lives of Florida residents.
Jamie-Lee Lloyd, the senior art director responsible for characters, told Dazed that observing these details in person helped shape the appearance and identity of Leonida's inhabitants.
Game writer Michael Wiafe also emphasized the importance of representing local culture without relying solely on the outrageous situations that made Florida famous online.
Through this work, Rockstar aims to create a Vice City that goes beyond buildings, beaches and luxury cars, with characters who have their own stories and places inspired by real life.
The approach combines Florida's culture with the humor and absurd situations that have always been part of Grand Theft Auto.
