05 Dec 2023 5:45 PM +00:00 UTC

Things we learned from the first GTA 6 trailer

GTA 6 protagonist Lucia attempting to rob a convenience store alongside her partner

Leakers may have ruined the fun of waiting for the GTA 6 trailer, but fans are still buzzing with excitement after seeing everything the trailer had to offer.

It's been a long time coming for fans of the irreverent open-world franchise who were spoiled with leaks in 2022 regarding the development of GTA 6. Even after Rockstar made an official announcement, they went radio silent for months.

GTA 5 turned 10 this year, and while it's still racking up the big bucks for Rockstar, GTA 6 is finally on the horizon, dropping a stunning trailer that showcases the over-the-top satirical nature of the franchise in all of its glory.

So, let's break down some of the most interesting bits from the footage to make the excruciatingly long wait a little bit more bearable.

GTA 6 trailer breakdown

While we can't exactly break down every single frame of the trailer, this first GTA 6 footage does give us some idea of what we can expect when the game releases in 2025.

Vice City and so much more

A panoramic view of the Florida Keys in Grand Theft Auto 6 — We'll see the Everglades and Rockstar's version of Florida Keys

We'll see the Everglades and Rockstar's version of Florida Keys

With how ambitious Rockstar Games is, it was all but guaranteed that GTA 6 would take place in more than just one location.

While Vice City will clearly be the star of the chaotic ride the game will likely take us on, the trailer also showcased several other iconic locations from real-life Florida, such as the Florida Keys and the Everglades National Park.

Lucia is the main protagonist, but is she the only one?

GTA 6 protagonist Lucia wearing an orange inmate jumpsuit — Lucia is up to no good

The trailer heavily focuses on Lucia, a woman who seems hell-bent on getting up to no good in the streets of Vice City. At some point she gets tossed in jail, whether that's the setting for the beginning or a story beat remains to be seen.

There is a Clyde to her Bonnie, however, and by the looks of the trailer, he's more than just her partner in crime. At one point Lucia and her partner are attempting to steal a small convenience store; later, they can be seen cuddling in bed.

The trailer didn't reveal his name but it'll be interesting to see what role will he play in the story of GTA 6.

It takes place in the same universe as GTA 4 and 5

A top-down view of an accident via a GTA 6 news network — Weazel News makes a return

Long-time fans might have spotted the Weazel News logo and cheered in excitement. That's because the fake news network first appeared in GTA 4, and is now confirmed to be returning after appearing GTA 5 as well.

That means it's all but certain GTA 6 will take place in the same universe as its predecessors, as well as other spinoffs like Chinatown Wars. Players can expect tons of goofy radio stories while they're busy causing chaos.

For reference, the GTA 1 through San Andreas era is set in a different timeline to the current one. This modern timeline (from GTA 4 onwards) is known as the HD Timeline by hardcore fans. Will we see a cameo from previous characters? Only time till well.

Leonida Man did what!?

A fake social media post in GTA 6 featuring a man grabbing his crotch — Leonida man does what?

In the decade since GTA 5, the landscape of life in North America has completely radicalised. Rockstar Games has never shied away from mocking certain political views (Weazel News being a parody of Fox News, for example) and they're not about to get cold feet with GTA 6.

The trailer features plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to some ludicrous things that might seem more real than you think, especially if Rockstar is committing to parodying every aspect of Florida.

Plenty of social media posts, with specific emphasis on a TikTok parody of sorts, highlight the iconic Florida Man meme. In GTA 6, it's Leonida Man, references the state the game takes place in. Leonida is also home to the fan-favourite Vice City.

Vice City wildlife in full glory

An image of a swamp and a flock of birds flying away from it in GTA 6 — Could animal companions be a thing?

As you'd expect from a game parodying Florida, the GTA 6 trailer showcased a plethora of wildlife. Rockstar has attempted to give animal companions to characters before, most predominantly Chop, the trusty Rottweiler of Franklin in GTA 5.

Sadly, the previous game's animal companionship was mostly locked behind a companion app on mobile phones. Other open-world games have made furry little friends a great addition, especially the Far Cry series, so it's likely Rockstar will take another crack at it.

It looks gorgeous

A panoramic view of a beach in Vice City in GTA 6 — It's going to be a painfully long wait

We're confident in saying that GTA 6 will be a boundary-pushing game for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and X. Rockstar's craftsmanship and attention to detail were on full display in the teaser trailer.

Sprawling Vice City vistas, luscious greenery, murky, gritty rural areas, GTA 6 has it all. If GTA 5 still looks impressive in 2023, we can only imagine how jaw-droppingly gorgeous GTA 6 will look when it finally launches in 2025.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Gaming News , GTA 6 , and Grand Theft Auto pages.