Prepare to get lost in Rockstar’s most ambitious open world yet.
Grand Theft Auto VI may still be nine months away, but fans are already dissecting every screenshot, trailer, and teaser frame in search of answers. And the biggest question of all—just how big is the GTA 6 map going to be?
With only two cinematic trailers released so far and a handful of promotional screenshots, Rockstar Games has managed to keep most of GTA VI under wraps. Yet a new image hinting at the game’s geography has reignited speculation that the Vice City return is only the beginning, and that GTA 6’s map might dwarf everything we’ve seen before.
Vice City Is Just the Centerpiece
Rockstar confirmed early on that GTA 6 will be set in Vice City—the neon-soaked fictional version of Miami that fans first explored back in 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. But unlike the relatively compact map from that era, this new Vice City looks like just one hub in a sprawling network of environments.
Earlier this year, the studio revealed official area names:
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Vice City – the core urban sprawl
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Leonida Keys – an archipelago reminiscent of the Florida Keys
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Port Gellhorn – likely an industrial port city
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Ambrosia – a smaller town, possibly with Latin American influences
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Grassrivers – a rural or swamp-like region
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Mount Kalaga National Park – a mountainous, wilderness area
Even without leaks, these confirmed locations suggest Rockstar is building a Florida-scale playground, not just a single city.
The Screenshot That Got Fans Talking
Speculation hit a fever pitch after one screenshot circulated in May 2025. The image shows a character named Brian Heder standing over an artistic version of the GTA VI map, with several areas circled and marked with “X.”
Fans immediately began theorizing:
“With a map that seems so huge, maybe now cars in GTA VI actually have 1:1 realistic acceleration and top speed,” wrote one user.
Another quipped:
“If this map is anything like my love life, I’m getting lost real quick.”
While Rockstar has not confirmed whether the image represents the entire map or just one condensed region, the sense of scale is unmistakable. For the first time, it seems likely that GTA 6’s world will surpass even the vast expanses of GTA V’s Los Santos and Red Dead Redemption 2’s American frontier.
Bigger Than GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2?
For context:
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GTA V’s map covers about 49 square miles, including Los Santos and Blaine County.
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Red Dead Redemption 2’s map is estimated at around 75 square miles, filled with wilderness, mountains, and towns.
If early comparisons are accurate, GTA VI could easily exceed 90–100 square miles, making it the largest Rockstar map to date.
But scale isn’t just about size. Rockstar is known for density: interactive interiors, dynamic NPCs, wildlife, and evolving city life. A bigger map doesn’t just mean more empty space—it means more stories, secrets, and chaos waiting to happen.
Why the Map Size Matters
In open-world games, the map is more than just geography—it defines freedom of play. For GTA 6, this means:
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Bigger Heists: Larger distances for planning, escapes, and multi-location missions.
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More Biomes: Cities, swamps, beaches, forests, and mountains all offering unique gameplay.
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Dynamic Travel: Cars, boats, planes, and possibly trains connecting regions.
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Online Expansion: A huge map provides room for years of GTA Online content.
If Rockstar delivers the Florida-style sprawl fans expect, GTA VI could set a new benchmark in open-world design.
What Fans Can Expect From Each Region
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Vice City: Neon-lit nightlife, clubs, and skyscrapers. Likely packed with interiors and social hubs.
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Leonida Keys: Islands connected by bridges—perfect for high-speed chases and boat missions.
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Port Gellhorn: Heavy industry, shipping yards, and gritty crime stories.
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Ambrosia: Smaller-town drama, reminiscent of Red Dead 2’s Valentine.
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Grassrivers: Swampy terrain, airboats, wildlife, and possibly smuggling routes.
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Mount Kalaga National Park: Hiking trails, caves, and wilderness survival—similar to RDR2’s mountains.
Together, these regions suggest a gameplay ecosystem more varied than any previous GTA title.
When Will We See the Full Map?
So far, Rockstar has been deliberately withholding the map reveal. Unlike GTA V, which had its map leaked months before release, GTA VI’s geography is being teased slowly through screenshots and promotional art.
The likely scenario:
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Gameplay trailer (late 2025): First glimpse at real in-game travel.
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Marketing push (early 2026): Rockstar traditionally drops a full map image 2–3 months before release.
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Launch date (May 26, 2026): Players finally get to explore the map themselves.
Community Reactions: Hype Meets Humor
As with any Rockstar release, the community is buzzing with memes and hot takes:
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“Finally, my car will run out of gas before I finish driving across Vice City.”
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“This map is so big, I’m going to need a second job just to finish the story mode.”
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“Red Dead 2 walking simulator veterans are ready for the Vice City cardio.”
The combination of hype, humor, and speculation has made GTA 6 map leaks one of the most-discussed gaming topics of 2025.
Rockstar’s Map Philosophy
Rockstar doesn’t just make maps—they create living worlds. With GTA 6, expect:
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Interiors: More buildings open and explorable.
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AI density: Smarter NPCs reacting differently across regions.
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Ecosystem variety: Beaches, cities, rural farmland, swamps, and mountains.
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Dynamic events: Random encounters, weather, and evolving storylines.
If Rockstar follows the blueprint of Red Dead Redemption 2, players can expect a map that feels alive, not just large.
GTA 6 Release Date and Platforms
Mark your calendars: Grand Theft Auto VI launches May 26, 2026.
Confirmed platforms:
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PlayStation 5
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Xbox Series X|S
No word yet on PC, but historically Rockstar releases PC versions 12–18 months after console launch.
Get Ready to Get Lost
While Rockstar hasn’t officially confirmed the map’s full scale, every teaser points to one conclusion: GTA 6 will deliver the biggest, most detailed world in Rockstar’s history.
From neon Vice City nights to swampy Florida backroads, this is a map designed for chaos, freedom, and endless exploration. Whether you’re racing across bridges in the Leonida Keys or hiking Mount Kalaga, Grand Theft Auto VI is preparing to set a new open-world standard.
With only months to go, one thing is certain: we’re going to get lost—and love every second of it.
