With the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer out in the world, we got our first glimpse at Leonida and Vice City. Now, many have found loads of similarities to its real-life counterpart: Florida.
The trailer came out earlier than expected due to an unfortunate leak. Regardless, the graphics and world made the 10-year wait for a new Grand Theft Auto worth it for fans. With that, we are returning to a familiar location: Vice City. However, it’s just a small part of the bigger map of Leonida.
Yes, you can probably tell it’s a clear reference to the real-life Florida. The references to the state don’t end at the name, as many crazy scenes in the trailer actually happened.
So, in honor of Grand Theft Auto VI‘s dive into Florida culture, I will go over the many references to crazy real-life events Rockstar has in the trailer. For the article, and your sanity, I will use the pictures from the trailer, not real life. You can thank me later.
That Huge Gator in the Pool
It’s not uncommon for wildlife to end up in your pool. There might be the odd frog or perhaps a snake, but rarely. Well, in Florida, and in GTA‘s Leonida, alligators are known to take dips in your local watering hole. FOX News reported in 2022 that one family had an almost 11-foot, 550-pound alligator in their pool. It took three police officers to even get the reptile out! Funny enough, the excerpt in the trailer mimics the one used by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook post.
That Shopping Alligator
With the amount of gators in the trailer, I’m assuming we’ll be playing one of these scaly fellas. They’re already robbing stores! Or they just walked in looking for some ‘fresh’ sushi. Regardless, this specific event hasn’t happened, as far as we know. However, in 2018 via ABC Action News, a drunk man brought a live alligator into a gas station for a beer run. Why? Just cause. The man was arrested and he claims he has no idea how or why he had an alligator with him. They just show up everywhere, I guess. Might as well let them joyride a car next, Rockstar.
That Car Twerker
Okay, not this type of joyride. Remember twerking? It seems it’s alive and well in Leonida, as we see an individual going crazy on top of a moving vehicle. Believe it or not, this has happened on multiple occasions in Florida. In 2017, per the Miami New Times, one woman twerked on top of a moving vehicle in Miami.
That Nude Gardener
You’re probably saying “Someone didn’t actually water plants nude, right?” I’m here to inform you that, yes, someone did. Minus the thong. In September 2018, Tampa Bay Times reported that a Florida man repeatedly gardened ‘au naturel’ in public. One witness said they taught their children not to look at the naked man, which is a weird detail considering they could’ve called the cops. There’s a video out there of it but I, for one, am good to remain blissful in my obliviousness.
That Crazy Hammer Lady
I’m going to be honest: dual-wielding hammers is a sick weapon idea. As you can see, this Karen ‘nails’ it pretty well. There are a few hammer-related incidents in Florida, with the most recent involving an argument over rum. However, Grand Theft Auto VI seems to actually take inspiration from a viral video out of California. A video, per TMZ, shows a woman repeatedly hitting a car with, you guessed it, two hammers. The owner of the damaged car was, ironically enough, in Miami during the incident, so it technically counts, right? ‘Screw’ it.
That Awkward Tatted-Up Criminal
If you have tattoos, that’s rad. Inking your body is not for me, but I support you if you want to get tatted out. However, do be wary if they are fully visible, as you might be the center of attention. This seemingly poor soul in the trailer has the whole “Joker from the Suicide Squad” look going. Jury’s still out if he rocks it. Anyway, the comparison with Batman’s arch-nemesis isn’t a coincidence. The criminal is based on a real-life Florida resident Lawrence Sullivan, also known as the Miami Joker. You can see why via a video on CBS News. Needless to say, it put a smile on this writer’s face.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release in 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
