Rockstar rode with cops and gang members for GTA 6 Florida research
Rockstar Games went to some extreme lengths for its Grand Theft Auto 6 research, according to a recent interview reported by IGN. The studio's head of development, Aaron Garbut, said team members traveled across Florida, embedding with the culture and people.
Per the interview, this involved traveling with both police officers and gang members to experience the local stories. Garbut noted that while the guides were lovely, the tales and details could be terrifying. He described Miami as a place of extremes, from incredible wealth to poverty and hustle.
The team also went airborne for their work. Garbut recalled a day flying low over the Everglades before ending up hovering over a stadium hosting a live Beyoncé concert. "I think we made the local news that day," he said.
In a separate part of the interview covered by VGC and PC Gamer, Rockstar writers discussed their approach to satire. Senior VP of narrative Rupert Humphries told Love Magazine the game deliberately avoids direct political references to avoid dating itself. Instead, it focuses on broader cultural phenomena.
Players will encounter election signs, robocalls, and political radio shows, but Humphries said the goal is a distorted, grotesque version of reality, not a mirror. Writing director James Horton added that the world needed to be "more over the top, more insane, more in your face" than our own.
The interview also touched on protagonists Lucia and Jason. Game writer Elizabeth Gauvey-Kern said the team wanted both characters to be vulnerable, tough, and flawed, creating an authentic dynamic.
