Rockstar Games has long loved turning real-world cities into vivid in‑game landscapes. In the debut trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, Vice City is teased as the stand‑in for a sprawling, sun‑drenched metropolis built on the dynamic vibe of Miami. Miami, the largest city in the Southeast, is renowned for its beaches, soaring skylines and a rich Cuban‑Haitian cultural blend. Which authentic Miami locations does Rockstar mirror in Vice City for GTA 6? Read on for a detailed tour of the inspirations behind the game world.
The trailer opens with sweeping views of downtown Miami seen from sea level and from the highway. A similar perspective can be found online via street‑level mapping, though the game camera height is obviously tailored for dramatic effect.
From this opening, the care put into shaping the landscape of GTA 6 becomes immediately apparent. A bird’s‑eye study of Miami’s suburbs reveals an abundance of water features: canals, creeks, and swamps that mirror the real city’s intricate waterfront network. Herons skim the canals, hovercrafts skim across channels, and the sense of place feels earthy and unmistakably authentic.
In the next frame, the character Lucia appears near a prison complex, hinting at the Florida state prison system. While the exact site is not stated, Florida houses numerous correctional facilities, including larger regional campuses and urban detention centers. The scene suggests a facility with a complete ecosystem—security corridors, staff spaces, and even a mental health program that could serve Lucia’s storyline.
We can’t access the interior of such a secure building, but the street exterior conveys the architectural and urban scale typical of these facilities.
The next sequence shifts to Palm Beach, a slender, sun‑drenched strip along the Atlantic with palm trees and resort‑level hotels. It’s the cinematic image of Miami that has appeared in countless films, and the game’s coastline echoes that iconic look.
Indeed, sunbathers dot the shore in abundance, underscoring the social energy and beach culture that define the city’s most famous shoreline.
The hotels strung along this narrow, pricey real estate also align with real world landmarks, reinforcing the sense that players are roaming a believable, lived‑in Miami coastline.
The game world not only copies famous places but also captures their spirit. Wynwood, in particular, is saturated with giant murals and diverse dining, reflecting the area’s creative energy and multicultural flavor. Little Havana will greet players with a vivid palette and rhythmic street life that mirrors the real neighborhood’s character.
A prominent, towering highway runs through the trailer. This is Interstate 95, a major artery that begins just south of downtown and travels north along the Atlantic coast toward the Georgia border. The background motif highlights a key element of the city: a continuous, bustling corridor that ties neighborhoods together.
The footage also presents a bridge linking the Florida Keys—the Coral Cay archipelago—emphasizing the chain of islands that are a hallmark of the state’s coastal geography. The islands themselves are a visible feature of the region’s network within the game.
A close‑up shows Bay Harbor Islands, an upscale cluster known for luxury residences, a nod to the real GTA Vice City’s own coastal enclaves. These neighborhoods contribute to the game’s sense of wealth, style, and tropical modernity.
Downtown’s concentration of affluence and refined living is reflected in the trailer’s visual language, where privacy, prestige, and speed mingle with luminous skyline silhouettes. Fleet boats, a bustling port, and cargo cranes hint at a dynamic maritime economy and a harbor that handles substantial trade activity.
The sixth chapter of Grand Theft Auto promises more than action. It also showcases the gaming industry’s push toward greater realism. From legendary landmarks to local flavor, the Vice City map is rendered with careful attention to architectural detail and cultural texture, delivering a compelling, believable Miami experience. GTA 6 is slated for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
[VG Times]