A Fan-Favorite Setting Returns
Vice City is one of the most beloved locations in the Grand Theft Auto series, and GTA6 marks its long-awaited return. Rockstar's Miami-inspired playground first appeared decades ago, and tracing its history helps explain why fans are so excited to go back.
2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
The original Grand Theft Auto: Vice City launched in 2002, building on GTA III's foundation with a sun-soaked, 1980s-themed take on Miami. Its neon aesthetic, iconic soundtrack, and protagonist Tommy Vercetti made it a defining entry in the series and cemented Vice City as a fan-favorite location.
2006: Vice City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories arrived in 2006, returning players to the same setting from a new perspective. It expanded the world and deepened the location's lore, becoming the last mainline visit to Vice City before a long absence.
The Long Wait
After Vice City Stories, the mainline series moved on to Liberty City (GTA IV) and San Andreas (GTA V). For nearly two decades, fans speculated about when — or whether — Rockstar would return to Vice City. That speculation ended with GTA6.
GTA6: A Modern Vice City
GTA6 brings Vice City into the modern era. Set in a contemporary, social-media-driven version of the city within the fictional state of Leonida (inspired by Florida), it expands beyond the urban core into beaches, swamps, and coastal regions. Dual protagonists Jason and Lucia navigate this updated world. Learn more in our characters guide and map guide.