Ex-Employee Reveals Rockstar Once Considered GTA in Rio de Janeiro

by Sophie Laurent December 25, 2025

written by Sophie Laurent December 25, 2025

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

GTA series expansion beyond the United States was once considered, with locations like Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Tokyo, and Istanbul on the table.
A separate studio in Japan started developing GTA: Tokyo using Rockstars existing code, but the project did not succeed.
The difficulties encountered with GTA: Tokyo and longer development times have resulted in a focus on American settings for the series.
Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, will be set in an American city. Future GTA titles are expected to follow this pattern.

International Locations Once Pondered for GTA Expansion Revealed by Ex-Developer

Rockstar Games once envisioned expanding the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series beyond the United States, with settings like Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and Tokyo considered, according to ex-technical director Obbe Vermeij. Vermeij, who worked on GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA IV, revealed in a GamesHub interview that the company had discussed potential GTA titles set in these international locations, including Istanbul. He also stated that a separate studio in Japan even began developing GTA: Tokyo using Rockstar’s existing code, but the project ultimately “didn’t work out.” The difficulties encountered with GTA: Tokyo, combined with longer development times, seem to have solidified the focus on American settings. Vermeij believes that the long development cycles will keep the series focused on a limited number of American cities: “I fear we are stuck in this cycle of more or less five American cities. It’s best for us to get used to it.” He anticipates the series will “revisit New York one more time, heading back to Los Angeles or perhaps Las Vegas.”

Expanded GTA Titles to Adhere to American Cities Pattern (2026 Onwards) – Insights from Ex-Developer

Omelete reports that Grand Theft Auto 6, set in an American city, is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. Vermeij’s insights suggest that future GTA titles will likely follow this pattern.

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