GTA 6 Devs Rode With Cops and Gang Members in Florida

Ever wonder how Rockstar crafts those insanely detailed worlds? For GTA 6, it meant hitting the road in Florida with some unlikely travel buddies.

In a recent interview with Love Magazine, Rockstar's head of development Aaron Garbut revealed that the team's research trips involved embedding with locals—including both cops and gang members. "We travel around with cops and with gang members," Garbut said. "Everyone is lovely. Some people are equally scary." The goal? To experience Miami's extremes firsthand: incredible wealth, crushing poverty, excess, and craziness, all so they can pour it into the game.

The process starts small: a handful of devs drive from Miami through surrounding towns and down to Key West, soaking in the vibes. "This is one of the best parts of the entire project: a car full of friends, driving for days on end, talking about what we want to make," Garbut said. Later trips bring more team members to dive deeper into the culture and stories.

One memorable shoot had the team flying low over mangrove inlets in the Everglades before hovering over a stadium where Beyoncé was performing live. "I think we made the local news that day," Garbut joked.

But it's not just about the scenery. Rockstar treats every detail—pedestrian chatter, radio ads, in-game shows—as essential to building a believable world. And while they avoid referencing real-world viral moments (to keep the game from feeling dated), GTA 6's satire will target modern culture, conspiracy theories, and how people react to events.

With GTA 6 launching next month, the hype is real. The Miami Heat even announced a special match where they'll wear GTA 6 uniforms in a themed arena. Rockstar's dedication to research shows they're pulling out all the stops to make this virtual Florida feel alive.

So, are you ready to explore Rockstar's version of Florida? What part of the map are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments!