GTA 6 lead channels the spirit of Skyrim-era Todd Howard: “You can go anywhere, any random location”
By (Image credit: Rockstar Games)
Although Rockstar has hinted at the dimensions of GTA 6’s playable map on several occasions, the creators behind the upcoming Grand Theft Auto installment also wish to convey that the space is not mere emptiness. Wherever you travel, there is purpose.
In a conversation with Edge, Rockstar mentioned that GTA 6’s map is almost as expansive as the combined landscapes of Grand Theft Auto 4, 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Yet, it doesn’t end there. While procedural generation is commonly used to achieve extensive size, Rockstar relies on a human element to ensure the map is rich with intrigue. Rockstar North’s co-studio lead Aaron Garbut noted that GTA 6 incorporates “a significantly greater number of interiors” than previous installments.
“Every side street is as intricately designed and captivating as the others,” he states. “You can explore any random spot, and countless individuals have contemplated that location.”
Such is the reality; Garbut asserts that he is still uncovering new features despite having engaged with the game for many years throughout its creation.
Rockstar’s aspirations mirror those we’ve witnessed in the gaming realm for many generations, as developers generate buzz by hinting at a magnitude and interactive elements we’ve never encountered before. When promoting Skyrim, Bethesda’s Todd Howard famously remarked, “that mountain is not just scenery; you can trek all the way to the peak of that mountain.”
He’s not alone in this sentiment – Randy Pitchford echoed similar sentiments with Borderlands 4 just last year. Yet, the feeling that there’s an added depth to what lies before you beyond previous offerings is something I continue to appreciate. It reflects a drive to achieve a new pinnacle in a manner that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
And there’s an abundance of that with GTA 6. Edge highlights that the houses of strangers encountered aren’t just bare. They contain stories on the walls, represented through photographs, along with the kind of clutter found in living rooms and kitchens that creates an atmosphere indicating someone resides there,
