Rockstar Games, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, conducted research trips across Florida with local gang members and law enforcement officials during the development of GTA 6, according to an interview obtained by Love Magazine. While the interview primarily discusses the romantic storyline between the two main characters, Jason and Lucia, it also sheds light on the creative process behind what the studio describes as its most ambitious open-world game to date. For GTA 6, the development team spent significant time exploring Miami and its surrounding areas to better understand the local culture and environment. These research trips typically start with a small group of developers identifying key locations and stories, with more team members joining in later to deepen their understanding of the culture, local narratives, and residents. "Every game we develop begins with research trips. It's an opportunity to explore both the location and our ideas as a group," said Aaron Garbut, development director. For GTA 6, a small group of developers began by traveling from Miami to Key West, passing through surrounding cities and the Florida Keys. Garbut described these trips as one of the most rewarding parts of the project, emphasizing the camaraderie and creative discussions that take place during long drives through the region. During these trips, Garbut often films everything that happens on site using a camera and phone. One memorable moment involved a group of developers flying at low altitude and high speed through the mangrove channels of the Everglades before ending the day gliding over a stadium where a Beyoncé concert was taking place. "I think we made the headlines that day," Garbut said. The team aims to fully immerse themselves in the local environment, spending time with residents, listening to their stories, and learning about the culture. They travel with police officers and gang members, finding both friendliness and unpredictability in their interactions. This research helps them build a credible, varied, and deep world for the game. Miami, in particular, was described as a city of extremes—charming people, incredible wealth, extreme poverty, excess, and madness. These contrasts are what the research trips aim to capture, allowing the team to incorporate them into the game in surprising ways. Some of the elements that end up in GTA 6 include dialogues directly inspired by real encounters, radio shows, and advertisements, which Rockstar considers essential rather than secondary content. The studio's approach to a contemporary GTA is to avoid recreating real-world viral moments, as such references can quickly become outdated due to the long development cycle. Instead, the satire in GTA 6 focuses on modern culture, conspiracy theories, and the sometimes strange reactions of people to events. In a unique promotional move, the Miami Heat announced that their next NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks will take place in Vice City, a fictional location from the GTA series. The event, titled "A Night in Vice City" and broadcast live on ESPN, will feature the Miami team wearing a brand new jersey that has never been worn on a court before. This collaboration highlights the blend of real-world and fictional elements that define the GTA universe.