GTA 6 Map: Twice the Size of GTA 5, Six Regions, Hurricanes & 170 Wildlife Species

Rockstar Games has finally put a number on the GTA 6 map: the state of Leonida is roughly twice the size of GTA 5’s map, making it the biggest open world the studio has ever built.

The confirmation comes from art director Aaron Garbut in Game Informer issue 382 (published September 29, 2026), a 14-page cover story that also revealed new details on weather, wildlife, and activities — plus 12 new screenshots.

Six Regions of the GTA 6 Map

The map spans six distinct regions:

• Vice City — the neon-soaked return of the fan-favorite city
• Leonida Keys — island chain inspired by the Florida Keys
• Grassrivers — swampy wetlands (Everglades-style)
• Port Gellhorn — coastal port town
• Ambrosia — central region with an Orlando-like feel
• Mount Kalaga National Park — wilderness and mountains

Rockstar emphasizes density over raw size. Garbut told Game Informer the team “obsessed about every part — the rooftops, the alleys, the internals” until the number of building interiors hit a critical mass, making structures feel real inside and out. The world is designed as a cohesive whole with hand-crafted detail in every corner.

Hurricanes and a Living Weather System

Weather is a headline feature. GTA 6 uses an evolution of the Red Dead Redemption 2 weather system, and Rockstar has confirmed hurricanes and tropical storms can tear through Leonida.

The system is localized and persistent: conditions can differ from one part of the map to another, with fully dynamic cloudscapes moving across Leonida. One area can be dry and sunny while a storm visibly pours in the distance. Rain creates rainbows and puddles, and wet surfaces linger long after a shower passes. A new wind system drives offshore breezes, swirling debris on rooftops, and ripples across water.

170+ Animal Species

Leonida is packed with wildlife: 170+ animal species, including 60+ bird species and 30+ land mammals. Animals can be tracked through a system with Rare, Discoverable, and Legendary tiers — a full wildlife checklist for completionists.

11 Confirmed Side Activities

The cover story confirms 11 activities: zoos, base jumping, billiards, gyms, kayaking, mini golf, scuba diving, street racing, off-road racing, air boating, and jet skiing. Rockstar also notes the world includes theme parks and Space Coast-style locations in its central Florida-inspired areas.

GTA 6 Release Date

GTA 6 launches worldwide on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2026. A senior Rockstar North official recently assured fans the game remains on course for that date after two earlier delays. For the exact moment it goes live in your region, check our GTA 6 unlock times guide — and if you want to play without paying full price, see how to get GTA 6 free with Microsoft Points.