Open-world fans know how special it is to step into a fresh game world, curious about every corner without relying on markers. Grand Theft Auto 6 will bring this feeling to many when it launches in May, letting players look at a new version of Vice City. Meanwhile, a dedicated community has been busy for almost three years trying to figure out what that map might look like.
Since September 2022, the Mapping Vice City thread on GTAForums has grown into a massive discussion hub with over 10,500 posts and 350 pages. Users have combined everything from wild guesses to detailed comparisons using tools like Google Maps, Google Earth, and Bing Maps to piece together the locations Rockstar might be recreating for GTA 6’s Miami-inspired city.
Every official trailer frame, screenshot, and even some leaks (though the community avoids sharing leak content directly) have been scrutinized. One user, Pudgehodge, shared an interesting theory about how Rockstar might use cloud cover and weather as natural map boundaries. For example, dense clouds often appear in the northern parts of the map in trailers, which could act like invisible walls or limits, similar to how previous GTA games blocked access with closed bridges.
“I noticed that the northern area of the map almost always has these large/dense cloud formations,” Pudgehodge explained. “Do you think Rockstar might use clouds/weather as a map ‘boundary’ system? These cloud formations seem to be perpetually sitting in the distance in the north, and most shots that are actually in the more northern regions seem to be veiled in dense fog, mist and clouds.” They also suggested that flying into those areas might disrupt air traffic or force players to turn back, though they admitted they might be overthinking it.
What’s kinda cool here is the level of dedication. This thread is a hive mind of sorts, where nothing is dismissed without discussion, and ideas get peer-reviewed before gaining traction. It’s a different way to experience the game, knowing some folks will go into into it blind while others will already have a mental map ready. Check out the full thread if you have the time, but watch out for spoilers. The discussions are rich, sometimes speculative, but always thoughtful.
