Rockstar Games' heavily anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is starting to seem like a distant dream right now, with the rumor mill being consistent with its work, but fans can't seem to unearth anything substantive on the next entry. A reveal likely isn't due anytime soon, but it is still interesting to wonder what might becoming in Grand Theft Auto's next iteration.
It's always fun to speculate and fantasize about Rockstar's next big project. Despite a bunch of rumors including the "Project Americas" leak, there's no factual clue regarding Grand Theft Auto 6's true setting. Rockstar is certainly a master of its craft in the world-building department, but there are a few things from Grand Theft Auto 4's Liberty City that the next game should definitely take into account.
The Atmosphere Of Grand Theft Auto 4's Liberty City
The open worlds found within Rockstar's titles are huge and full of character, which is part of the reason why fans are excited for more. The Grand Theft Auto series is synonymous with excellent atmosphere; whether it's the neon-drenched rain-soaked streets of Vice City, or the sunny suburbs of San Andreas. Despite each of these cities being in stark contrast with one another, a lively and chaotic vibe can be found as a common running theme.
Grand Theft Auto 4's depiction of Liberty City sits at an entirely different place. A drab and macabre color palette of green, brown, and grey envelopes the fictional New York City, which helps ground players in the world as Niko Bellic. It also helps in establishing the satirical nature of the game as the protagonist, much like the player's perspective, steps into the city expecting to live the "American Dream."
A Chance To Make Grand Theft Auto 6 Different
Looking back to this day, Grand Theft Auto 4's juxtaposing roster of characters and Liberty City easily make it Rockstar's most unique work in the franchise. It's grounded, but the hilarity of characters provides some much-needed levity that shakes up the series' formula, without robbing it of its core identity. Given how often Rockstar has become fairly formulaic with Grand Theft Auto, it might be worth looking back to Grand Theft Auto 4 and make the next game a lot more serious and honest.
The studio's latest game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is proof that grounded open worlds and storylines can work when fully committed to engaging storytelling. Grand Theft Auto 6 is a chance to shake up the series conventions in a similar way, and Grand Theft Auto 4's Liberty City is definitely a good starting point. Interestingly enough, many of these lessons don't restrict Rockstar's choice of settings for Grand Theft Auto 6, be it Vice City or Project Americas.
While a lot of this speculation certainly sounds intriguing, it could be too much to ask. Grand Theft Auto 5 is a behemoth of an entertainment product, and following it up with anything risky is well, risky. Regardless, the attention to detail and the consistency present within Rockstar's recreation of New York City is certainly more than enough inspiration to craft Grand Theft Auto 6's world along the same lines.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to be in development for unspecified platforms.