A prominent former member of the Grand Theft Auto development team has revealed that Rockstar considered a variety of international locations for future installments of the series. Places like Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and Istanbul were among the contenders, with Tokyo being the closest to actual development. Obbe Vermeij, the former technical director at Rockstar North who contributed to titles such as GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 5, mentioned that a partnership with a Japanese studio was in the works to create GTA: Tokyo, but ultimately, the project did not progress.

Vermeij emphasized that while ambitious ideas often excite creators, the financial stakes attached to such games typically lead developers back to familiar territories. “America largely serves as the center of Western culture, which means its cities are recognized even by those who have never visited,” he explained.

He expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of the series moving to cities like Bogotá anytime soon, given the increasing financial complexities of game development. “It simply doesn’t make sense to choose an unconventional location just for novelty’s sake,” he noted, dismissing ideas like GTA: Toronto as impractical.

Historically, most Grand Theft Auto titles have been set in cities modeled after American locations, particularly Los Santos (analogous to Los Angeles), Liberty City (akin to New York), and Vice City (inspired by Miami). Although there was a London-themed expansion for the first game back in 1999, it remains the only significant diversion from this pattern.

Dan Houser, a co-founder of Rockstar and former lead writer for the series, indicated that the focus on cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles stems from their dynamic environments, blending extremes of wealth, poverty, glamour, and organized crime. He further pointed out that these cities possess unique elements that resonate with the game’s narrative, notably the prevalence of guns and larger-than-life characters.

When questioned about the possibility of the series exploring European settings, Vermeij suggested it isn’t realistic. He expressed a desire for such expansions but acknowledged that in the current landscape, with major releases occurring every twelve years, exploring new locales is unlikely. He said, “Given the rapid advancement of technology, it wouldn’t deter players from enjoying a new GTA game just because they’ve experienced a prior setting.”

Vermeij also anticipated that Rockstar would likely return to iconic American cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas in future titles, implying a continued reliance on this small set of familiar environments.

The upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to revisit Vice City, but in a contemporary context rather than the 1980s setting of the original Vice City. The game will feature a narrative centered around two protagonists, Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, which will mark a significant milestone by including a playable female lead for the first time. The release is scheduled for November next year.