A new Edge Magazine interview suggests Leonida could offer an enormous open world, with more interiors, explorable locations and access to distant areas from launch.
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) could feature a significantly larger playable world than previously expected, with new details from an Edge Magazine interview highlighting the scale of Leonida, its explorable locations and building interiors.
Simon Parkin interviewed Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson for 90 minutes, during which the developer demonstrated parts of the upcoming game featuring protagonists Jason and Lucia.
According to Parkin, the landmass is “nearly as large as the playable maps of GTA 4, GTA 5, and RDR 2 combined”. The comparison suggests that Leonida could offer an expansive environment for players to explore, although the exact size remains unclear.
Previous reports suggested that the GTA 6 map would be roughly twice the size of the world featured in GTA 5. However, the latest comments have fuelled speculation that Rockstar Games could deliver an even larger setting.
Despite ongoing debate over how the different game maps compare in size, players can reportedly explore distant locations from the beginning. According to the GTA VI O’Clock podcast, players will not need to complete specific missions to unlock far-off areas when the game launches.
This approach would build on the open-world freedom offered by GTA 5, allowing players to explore Leonida at their own pace. The gameplay demonstration also highlighted how the busy streets of Vice City could encourage players to abandon missions and discover unexpected activities.
Building interiors are another major focus. Co-development lead Aaron Garbut said the GTA 6 map features “an order of magnitude more interiors” than previous games.
The interiors are designed to feel distinct, with environmental details suggesting that non-playable characters and their families live in the buildings. Garbut reportedly said he continues to discover new locations while exploring the game world.
Edge Magazine has also published new screenshots showing different areas of Leonida. These images could help fan communities working to map the game using trailers, screenshots and other available material.
Although the Vice City Collection reportedly includes a map of Leonida, it remains unclear whether Rockstar will provide a similar physical map with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox editions.
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, with further details about its open world expected ahead of release.