We know already how massive Grand Theft Auto 6 is going to be. Well, not technically, but based on the official trailer alone, Leonidas, the fictional state where Vice City is located, was shown to be more expansive than any setting we’ve seen from Rockstar Games before.
However, for some fans, this bit of info isn’t enough.
Thousands continue to invest an inordinate amount of time dissecting every detail in the record-breaking trailer, pointing out the real-life references Rockstar, occasionally admiring the beauty of it all when not busy looking for clues about the in-game world’s exact size.
Apparently, there’s a reason why cybersleuths haven’t found more clues in the GTA 6 trailer – they’ve been looking at the wrong place.
A post on X by user PainkillerH20 brought to light that the GTA 6 map might have been subtly included in the promotional artwork. The post featured zoomed-in photos of Jason and Lucia, suggesting that a pixelated map visible in the artwork could represent the expanse of GTA 6’s Leonida, a fictional version of Florida.
YouTuber NikTek took the investigation a step further, using color correction and image enhancement to compare the artwork with a map crafted from leaked gameplay footage. The results showed some alignment but also significant differences, hinting that the artwork’s map may not represent the full extent of GTA 6’s game world.
#RockstarGames Is very clever.Apparently the size of the GTA 6 map is in the official wallpaper for GTA6. If you zoom in you will see a very pixelated map and if this is the size of GTA 6, it's going to be very massive 💯🌊🌴🌇🌃🍸🐎 #GTA #GTA6 #GTAVI #GTA6LEAKS #HaveAViceDay pic.twitter.com/sgwksmnlR0
— PainKiller (@PainkillerH20) December 15, 2023
This intriguing discovery has sparked widespread speculation among fans, with theories ranging from the map being an intentional teaser to mere coincidence. Rockstar, known for, outside of controversies, their uncanny attention to detail and penchant for Easter eggs, has a history of embedding subtle hints in their promotional materials. The possibility of the GTA 6 map being cleverly hidden in the artwork aligns with the developer’s style.
Further fueling the speculation, other fans have pointed out potential connections to Vice City’s map in the artwork. In his deep dive into the image, NikTekOfficial found a poster resembling part of Vice City. This analysis is in line with the game’s setting in Leonida and adds to the mounting excitement about exploring a modernized Vice City and its surrounding areas.
There is a lot of speculation that the official GTA 6 Artwork has the official map within it.
So I decided to take the matter in my own hands
Here's a direct view and color correction to make the supposed map more visible and a comparison between the mapping project that was… pic.twitter.com/1Tda8rCGf1
— NikTek (@NikTekOfficial) December 16, 2023
The GTA community’s efforts to piece together information from official and leaked sources prove the painstaking detective work fans are willing to go through. As anticipation for GTA 6 continues to build, these theories and analyses only add to the excitement surrounding the game.
In the meantime, fans are cautioned against scams related to GTA 6, especially those offering fake pre-orders or alpha versions of the game for PC.
With the official release slated for 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, any claims of early access or PC versions should be approached with skepticism.
Rockstar Games is currently tiding over fans with a healthy dose of classic GTA titles, starting with the release of the GTA Trilogy remaster on mobile platforms as well as Netflix.
