Ethan Crossfield 
Grand Theft Auto VI is the cover feature for Game Informer’s issue 382, giving fans a closer look at Rockstar Games’ version of Florida through new interviews, screenshots, and development details. The 14-page feature focuses on Vice City and Leonida, the fictional state where the sequel’s world takes shape.
What happened
Game Informer spoke with several Rockstar lead designers about how the studio built Grand Theft Auto VI’s setting. The coverage examines the cultural and visual research behind Leonida, with particular attention to how Rockstar approached creating a more lifelike interpretation of South Florida.
The story includes discussion of the game’s weather technology. Rather than presenting Florida as a permanently sunny backdrop, Rockstar is exploring weather conditions associated with the region’s less predictable side. The feature also highlights the scale of Leonida’s wildlife, with animals appearing across the land, sky, and surrounding waters.
Twelve exclusive screenshots accompany the article, showing locations and characters from the upcoming crime epic. The issue’s cover uses original Rockstar artwork featuring Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, the game’s two protagonists.
Why it matters
Rockstar’s open worlds are often defined as much by their atmosphere and background detail as by their missions. The new information suggests that Leonida’s identity is being built through systems that reinforce its Florida-inspired setting, from regional weather to a broad ecosystem of native and non-native wildlife.
That focus gives fans more than another look at Vice City. It offers an indication of how Rockstar wants the world to feel when players are moving through it, whether they are exploring the city, traveling through less urban areas, or observing the environment around them. The emphasis on research also points to a deliberate effort to make the setting culturally recognizable while retaining the series’ satirical approach.
What to watch next
The digital edition of the issue is scheduled to be available on September 29. Print copies will follow for subscribers and retailers in the coming weeks, while the Grand Theft Auto VI issue is described as a limited-time release. Game Informer says subscriptions include 10 issues per year, with delivery available in the United States and internationally across more than 50 countries.
Issue 382 also contains previews for games including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, Metroid Ravenous, State of Decay 3, Mega Man: Dual Override, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and Final Fantasy VII Revelation. Its reviews section covers titles such as Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Marvel’s Wolverine, Star Wars Zero Company, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
Key takeaways from the Grand Theft Auto VI feature
- The cover story spans 14 pages and centers on Vice City and Leonida.
- Rockstar discusses advanced weather systems designed around Florida-inspired conditions.
- Wildlife will populate Leonida across land, air, and sea.
- The package includes 12 exclusive screenshots and artwork featuring Jason and Lucia.
- The digital issue arrives September 29, with print copies following in the coming weeks.
Expert View
The strongest signal from this coverage is Rockstar’s continued investment in environmental identity. Weather, wildlife, and regional research may sound secondary beside characters and missions, but they are the systems most likely to make Leonida feel distinct from earlier Grand Theft Auto settings. For fans waiting to understand what separates this return to Vice City from a simple sequel, those world-building details are currently the most meaningful clues.
