Whispers persist that the next Grand Theft Auto game could revisit Vice City, and fans eagerly await a formal reveal. In the meantime, a level designer named Yevhenii Dubenets has explored what an open world true to the sixth installment might feel like. He built a compact slice of Vice City inside Unreal Engine 5, then recast the city through a mid-century lens inspired by the 1950s. The result is showcased through a short video and a gallery of screenshots, offering a tangible glimpse into the creative direction fans might imagine for a modern rerelease of the beloved setting.
From the visuals to the mood, the project centers on capturing the vibe of a bustling, neon-lit coastal metropolis seen through retro eyes. The recreated streets, signage, and architecture aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia while leveraging contemporary lighting, textures, and physics to highlight how a sixth GTA might feel in a high-fidelity, open-world experience. The approach underscores how developers could reinterpret classic locations when bridging generations of hardware and game design, blending familiar landmarks with fresh mechanics that modern players expect.
According to Dubenets’s professional profile, the designer has been with Wargaming since mid-2021, a studio widely recognized for MMOs and large-scale battles. His portfolio also includes notable environments and zones from other major titles, illustrating a breadth of influence across genres—from the gritty urban texture of a reimagined Night City to a high-fantasy locale and a speculative, fictional anomaly from a canceled project. This spectrum demonstrates how a single artist can contribute to diverse worlds, potentially shaping future open-world design language for forthcoming releases. (citation: VG Times)
The designer previously presented a concept remake of Vice City in Unreal Engine 5, showcasing how retro settings can be reinterpreted with modern technology. The discussion around the franchise’s sales performance continues to be a frequent topic among fans and analysts alike, reflecting the enduring demand for GTA with a fresh perspective. (citation: VG Times)
Note: All observations here stem from publicly shared concept work and industry commentary, reflecting creative exploration rather than official confirmation from the franchise publishers. (citation: VG Times)