The long-awaited GTA 6 mapping project has shifted into high gear following the release of Trailer 2. Garza, a key member of the project and overseer of the GTA 6 Mapping Discord, shared with IGN that "it really changes everything for us for the rest of the year." The Discord community, which now boasts 370 members and is on the cusp of reaching 400, is abuzz with excitement as they dive into the wealth of new details provided by the trailer.
"It's an information overload - it really changes everything for us for the rest of the year," Garza emphasized. "We have so much new content to work on and we're really just getting started." The project, which began in the wake of the massive September 2022 leaks, aims to create the most accurate GTA 6 map possible. Until Trailer 2's release, their efforts were based on those leaks and the information from December 2023's Trailer 1.
The latest map version, v0.049, released by project lead DuPz0r at the end of March, is now considered outdated. The flood of new information from Trailer 2 has spurred the team to create a more detailed and accurate map. Rockstar's latest reveal not only confirmed plot details and introduced 70 new screenshots but also showcased various explorable locations within the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida.
Confirmed locations include Vice City, GTA 6's rendition of Miami, the tropical Leonida Keys archipelago, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, and the northern landmark, Mount Kalaga. The volunteers are meticulously analyzing the trailer to pinpoint the exact locations of everything shown, matching these fictional spaces to their real-world counterparts to enhance the accuracy of GTA 6's map. Once completed, DuPz0r will release an updated version, offering fans an unprecedented glimpse into what to expect from GTA 6, set for release in May 2026.
Should Rockstar release more assets or gameplay footage before the game's launch, the volunteers are ready to refine their work further. The true test of their accuracy will come when GTA 6 is released, allowing for a direct comparison between the fan-made map and the actual game world.
GTA 6 Leonida Keys Screenshots
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However, the shadow of potential legal action by Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two, looms over the project. Earlier this year, a modder who created a playable version of the GTA 6 map within GTA 5 was forced to halt their work following a Take-Two takedown notice. When asked about his concerns last year, Garza expressed "some mild concern," acknowledging the project's long-standing operation without direct interference. "This project has been going on for quite some time with no direct disruption to our community," he noted. "However, I always keep it into consideration if they intend on communicating with us in the future for any reason. We do not explicitly showcase leaked material in the map, so I do not believe they would take that down in particular. I believe they are aware that this project gathers popularity and interest in the game, since everyone wants to see how the world may look like. This can be one of the reasons why they haven’t done anything, since it’s not too negative. If I were ever in the situation of receiving a cease and desist though, then I would respectfully cease and desist. As we get closer to a precise map, it may be possible to receive that notice in the future."
As we await further developments, stay tuned for more on GTA 6, including all the details we’ve discovered so far and all the GTA 6 fan theories emerging from Trailer 2 itself.
