Grand Theft Auto VI's Leonida is roughly twice the size of GTA 5's map and the biggest world Rockstar has ever built "by some degree", according to co-studio head Aaron Garbut in Game Informer's cover story, published on 29 September. The 14-page feature also confirms six regions, a new localised weather system with tropical storms and hurricanes, more than 170 animal species and a list of side activities.
Game Informer's full article is behind a subscription, so this piece is built on the free part of the feature, the magazine's own issue announcement and the quotes reported by VGC and Insider Gaming, checked against Rockstar's official GTA VI site. We separate what Rockstar said from what outlets have estimated.
What did Rockstar tell Game Informer?
The GTA VI story fronts Game Informer's November 2026 issue. According to the magazine's issue announcement, it runs to 14 pages with new developer interviews and 12 exclusive screenshots, and the physical copy ships to subscribers in the US and 52 other countries. Three Rockstar staff are quoted by name in the coverage we could read.
| Detail | Who said it | What was confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Map size | Aaron Garbut, head of development / co-studio head | Leonida is Rockstar's biggest map, about twice GTA 5's, with more interiors |
| Regions | Game Informer / Rockstar | Six: Vice City, Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, Mount Kalaga National Park |
| Weather | Owen Shepherd, VP of art for lighting and rendering | Localised, persistent weather; dynamic clouds; tropical storms and hurricanes |
| Wind | Owen Shepherd | Offshore breezes after sunset, updrafts and wind blocked by buildings |
| Wildlife | Michael Kane, VP of dynamic art | Over 170 species, including 60+ bird types and 30+ land mammals |
| Activities | Game Informer | Base jumping, billiards, gyms, kayaking, mini golf, scuba diving, street and off-road racing, zoos, airboating, jet skiing |
| Screenshots | Game Informer | 12 new images, exclusive to the issue |
How big is Leonida compared with GTA 5?
Rockstar's claim is relative, not absolute: Garbut describes Leonida as about twice the size of GTA 5's world, and stresses density as much as scale, saying the team reached "a critical mass" of interiors. No area in square kilometres appears in the coverage, and none is given for GTA 5's map either.
That has not stopped the maths. Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson starts from a figure of 75–80 km² for GTA 5 (about 50 km² of it land) and arrives at roughly 150–160 km² for Leonida including sea, or around 100 km² of land. Treat those numbers as an estimate built on an estimate: "twice the size" could mean total area, land area or something looser.
What are Leonida's six regions?
The region names are not new: all six already appear on Rockstar's "Only in Leonida" pages. What Game Informer adds is how each one maps onto the real Florida, as summarised by VGC.
| Region | Inspired by | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Vice City | Miami | The urban centre: Art Deco, beaches and a major cruise ship port |
| Leonida Keys | The Florida Keys | Rockstar's take on Florida's island chain |
| Grassrivers | The Everglades | Vast wetlands full of wildlife |
| Port Gellhorn | Florida's declining tourist towns | Cheap motels and run-down shopping centres |
| Ambrosia | Florida's industrial side | Factories, refineries and an influential biker gang |
| Mount Kalaga National Park | The Florida–Georgia border | Northern wilderness focused on nature and wildlife |
Hurricanes, wind and 170 animal species
Shepherd says the weather system was re-engineered to be "much more localized and persistent", so one part of the map can sit under clear skies while rain falls a short drive away. At the extreme end sit tropical storms and hurricanes, with water gushing off roofs and lampposts and lightning flashing through the clouds. Insider Gaming also quotes an updated wind system that ruffles hair, blows debris across rooftops and bends swamp grass.
On wildlife, Kane says the aim was to include Florida's ecosystem "faithfully" across Leonida's biomes. VGC lists sharks, whales and jellyfish among the sea creatures, and Insider Gaming names manatees, flamingos, pelicans and alligators. For scale, the species count covers birds, mammals, fish and reptiles combined.
What we still don't know
- How often storms happen, and whether hurricanes change missions, traffic or the police. VGC notes Rockstar did not say.
- An official map area. The square-kilometre figures circulating so far are estimates, not Rockstar numbers.
- The full activity list. Insider Gaming stresses the ten named activities are only "some" of them.
- A PC version. Rockstar's site still lists only PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
What it means for players
Nothing here moves the date: Rockstar still lists 19 November 2026, 51 days after this cover story went live. Insider Gaming points out that Rockstar has shown little public footage since its Netflix gameplay showcase, which makes these 12 screenshots the newest official look at the game. If you are budgeting for launch, our breakdown of the $399.99 Vice City Collection box, which does not include the game, is worth a look, and everything we publish on the game lands on our GTA VI hub.
FAQ
How big is the GTA 6 map?
Rockstar's Aaron Garbut told Game Informer that Leonida is roughly twice the size of GTA 5's map and the biggest Rockstar has made. No official area in square kilometres has been published; figures online are fan or press estimates.
Does GTA 6 have hurricanes?
Yes. Rockstar's Owen Shepherd told Game Informer that Leonida will see tropical storms and hurricanes as part of a localised weather system. Rockstar has not said how often they happen or whether they affect missions.
When does GTA 6 come out?
Rockstar's official site lists 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The site lists no PC version.
- Grand Theft Auto VI – Welcome to Leonida (cover story) — Game Informer
- The Grand Theft Auto VI digital issue is now live — Game Informer
- Grand Theft Auto VI official site — Rockstar Games
- GTA 6 map officially twice as large as GTA 5, features hurricanes and tropical storms — VGC
- GTA 6's Leonida map is Rockstar Games' biggest map ever created — Insider Gaming
- GTA 6 features over 170 different wildlife species — Insider Gaming
- GTA 6 weather system includes thunderstorms and hurricanes — Insider Gaming
First published, based on Game Informer's November 2026 cover story as reported by VGC and Insider Gaming, with release details from Rockstar's official site.
