Rockstar reveals GTA 6's massive map and dynamic hurricane weather system

Get ready for a much bigger sandbox. According to a Game Informer preview cited by VGC, the map in Grand Theft Auto 6 will be double the size of the one in GTA 5.

Rockstar's head of development Aaron Garbut calls it the studio's largest world ever created "by some degree." The setting is the fictional state of Leonida, which is split into six distinct regions inspired by Florida, from the Miami-esque Vice City to the swampy Grassrivers.

The weather is getting a major upgrade, too. Per the report, a new localized system will allow for dramatically different conditions in neighboring areas, mimicking Florida's unpredictable climate. You might see clear skies in one spot while a heavy downpour happens just down the road.

Rockstar's vice president overseeing art, lighting, and rendering, Owen Shepherd, told the magazine the team re-engineered the weather to feel more dynamic and achieve a new sense of scale. The system will include tropical storms and hurricanes, with fully dynamic clouds and lightning.

The preview also notes the map will be packed with detail, boasting over 170 animal species and activities ranging from base jumping and scuba diving to jet skiing and off-road racing.