Leonida is roughly twice the size of the map in GTA 5, and Rockstar Games has just confirmed that every square inch of it will be denser, more detailed and more interactive than anything the studio has built before. The revelation came as part of a 14-page Game Informer cover story that dropped a treasure trove of new information about the upcoming open-world title.
The coverage, published in issue 382, includes exclusive interviews with senior Rockstar designers and twelve new screenshots. It paints a picture of a game that is not simply bigger than its predecessor but fundamentally more layered — from the weather above to the creatures below.
Six Distinct Regions Make Up Leonida
Rockstar North co-studio head Aaron Garbut confirmed that the fictional Florida-inspired state is split into six primary regions: Vice City, the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga National Park. Each offers a dramatically different environment.
Vice City delivers the expected beaches, art deco architecture and busy cruise ship port. Grassrivers channels the Everglades with sprawling wetlands and dangerous reptiles. The Leonida Keys evoke the Florida Keys, while Mount Kalaga National Park rounds things out with mountainous terrain.
Six regions at a glance: Vice City · Leonida Keys · Grassrivers · Port Gellhorn · Ambrosia · Mount Kalaga National Park
“We obsessed about every part — the rooftops, the alleys, the internals and everything in between,” Garbut said. “You start to feel the buildings are more real inside and out.”
Hurricanes Confirmed as Weather System Gets a Complete Overhaul
Perhaps the most anticipated reveal is that hurricanes will feature in the game. Rockstar confirmed tropical storms will hit Leonida, though the studio declined to say how frequently they occur or whether they impact story missions.
The description Rockstar provided is vivid: heavy clouds, strong winds, dense atmospherics, torrential rain, thunder and dramatic lightning illuminating the sky. Water will gush off roof edges and lampposts, with everything left dripping wet.
Behind the scenes, the studio re-engineered its entire weather system. VP of art for lighting and rendering Owen Shepherd explained that conditions are now localised and persistent — you can stand in sunshine in one part of the map while watching a rainstorm unfold in the distance. Rain creates puddles and rainbows, and wet surfaces remain visible long after a shower passes. A new wind system affects hair, debris, water ripples and vegetation across the world.
“This world is a cohesive whole with the density of content and a hand-crafted quality to every bit.” — Aaron Garbut, Rockstar North
Over 170 Animal Species Roam Leonida
The wildlife count alone is staggering. Rockstar confirmed more than 170 animal species across Leonida, including over 60 types of birds and more than 30 land mammals. Many have never appeared in a Rockstar game before.
Confirmed creatures include manatees, flamingos, pelicans, alligators, feral cats and armadillos on land. The waters around Leonida are home to several shark species, whales, rays, turtles and jellyfish. Some animals display iridescence, bioluminescence or translucency, while birds feature different feather types and fully simulated fur on mammals.
Certain animals can be tracked and fall into Rare, Discoverable and Legendary categories, though Rockstar is keeping the identities of those special creatures under wraps for now.
Side Activities, Fast Travel and a New Heat System
Leonida is packed with things to do beyond the main story. Confirmed side activities include base jumping, kayaking, scuba diving, jet skiing, street and off-road racing, mini golf, billiards, gyms, air boating and visiting zoos. There are also ATV trails, mud parks, demolition derbies, mountain biking, motocross, bass fishing and more scattered across the regions.
Getting around is easier too. A ride-share app lets players fast-travel across the map — and you can chat with other passengers during the journey. The in-game phone also lets you doomscroll on social media sites, adding a modern touch to the world.
Perhaps most interesting for longtime fans, six-star wanted levels return alongside a new Heat system. Police now gather information based on your appearance and whereabouts at a crime scene, meaning you may need to change your look to shake them off. Vehicle theft has also become more complex, with some cars requiring specialised tools and expensive security systems to crack.
GTA 6 launches on 19th November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
