Even though Grand Theft Auto VI won’t be released until May 26, 2026, a dedicated community of fans has already begun the monumental task of mapping the game’s fictional state, which is heavily inspired by real-life Florida.
This digital cartography effort, coordinated mostly through a Discord server, has become a large-scale detective game where every trailer frame and promotional screenshot is carefully examined, decoded, and added to an evolving map of Vice City and beyond.
Leading this operation is DuPz0r, a project coordinator who’s been involved in mapping for over two decades, dating back to GTA Vice City in 2002. With nearly 400 dedicated cartographers contributing to the project, the community’s collective effort is expected to yield an impressively accurate map, similar to DuPz0r’s work for GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
The task at hand is no small feat. Mappers analyze each screenshot, trailer frame, and in-game footage, matching the locations to real-world references, often using street view to pinpoint exact locations. Fans, including some from Miami itself, work tirelessly to create a mental model of the game’s environment, piecing together clues that reveal the layout of Vice City and the surrounding areas.
One of the most interesting elements of this mapping project is the discovery of real-world inspiration for the game’s locations. Fans have unearthed details such as the use of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, which has been transformed into Bocamar Bridge in Port Gellhorn in the game. These findings help expand the map beyond just Vice City, hinting at a much larger and more detailed world.
The mapping community’s work doesn’t stop with the discovery of new locations. As fans analyze the game’s second trailer, new details about the game’s geography are becoming clearer. Notably, the second trailer has sparked discussion about possible map borders, suggesting that GTA VI might not be an island-based world like previous games. Locations like Gloriana and Mount Kalaga—possibly inspired by Georgia—have also been flagged for inclusion.
Though the community is still months away from GTA VI‘s release, the excitement is palpable. Fans see this as their chance to intimately familiarize themselves with the world Rockstar is creating, mapping out every building, street, and landmark, all before stepping foot in the game. The project is expected to continue well beyond the game’s release, as fans work to identify the real-world inspirations for every last building and street.
For those interested in joining the community, DuPz0r’s team welcomes new members and encourages those with a keen eye for detail to participate in this ongoing digital treasure hunt.
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