Rockstar Reveals Details About GTA 6's Weather, Wildlife, and Leonida City

Rockstar Games has opened up about GTA 6 in a major 14-page Game Informer cover story, revealing new details about Leonida, its weather systems, wildlife, NPCs and the research that went into recreating a fictional version of Florida. The issue also includes 12 previously unseen screenshots from the game.

GTA 6 will have more than 170 animal species

One of the biggest reveals is the sheer amount of wildlife Rockstar is putting into Leonida. According to Game Informer, the game features more than 170 animal species across land, air and sea. That includes familiar Florida wildlife such as alligators, flamingos, manatees and pelicans, alongside invasive species including green iguanas, cane toads, feral cats and rhesus macaque monkeys.

Rockstar is also expanding its animal technology with new fur and feather systems, plus effects such as iridescence, translucency and bioluminescence. Some animals can also fall into Rare, Discoverable and Legendary categories, although Rockstar has not revealed the identities of those harder-to-find creatures.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are coming to Leonida

Weather is another major focus of the new reveal. Rockstar is building a more dynamic system designed around Florida’s extreme weather, including tropical storms and hurricanes. The system goes beyond changing the sky. Strong winds, heavy rain and changing conditions can affect the world around the player, adding another layer to Leonida’s environment. Game Informer specifically highlights Rockstar’s work on making Florida’s less predictable weather part of the game’s world.

Rockstar went deep into Florida research

The studio also discussed how it researched Miami and the wider Florida region while building Leonida. Rockstar’s developers studied different parts of the state and its culture to make the fictional setting feel more grounded.

That attention also extends to the people living in Leonida. Game Informer says GTA 6’s NPCs feature more varied body types and physical characteristics, with Rockstar focusing on making the population feel more representative of the different communities found across Florida.

The new material also reinforces how much Rockstar is focusing on the density of the world, rather than simply making a large map. Earlier details from the same cover story indicate that interiors, rooftops, alleys and other smaller spaces received significant attention during development.

GTA 6’s latest reveal is all about bringing Leonida to life

The Game Informer feature does not appear to be a new story or gameplay reveal. Instead, Rockstar is showing how much work has gone into making Leonida feel like a living version of Florida, from its wildlife and weather to its people and environments.

The digital edition of Game Informer’s Issue 382 went live on September 29, with the physical edition following later. GTA 6 remains scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.