GTA 6's map size could be several times larger than GTA 5's, but that could come with its own set of problems

One of the most discussed aspects of Grand Theft Auto VI remains the size of its map. Players have long speculated that the new game will offer the largest open world in the series' history. However, the excessive size of the gameplay space could lead to unexpected difficulties.

According to Reddit user anli2132, the scale of GTA 6's map could be approximately 2.4-2.7 times larger than that of GTA 5. In the previous game, Los Santos was already considered one of the most expansive and detailed sandboxes, meaning Vice City and the surrounding regions will be noticeably larger. Moreover, according to leaks, the new game will feature not only Vice City but also at least two other major cities, significantly expanding the world and increasing the space to explore.

However, such an impressive scale could create technical and gameplay challenges. The larger the world, the greater the risk that traversal will become monotonous, especially without a fast and seamless traversal system similar to that used in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Once the initial excitement of a vast and detailed world wears off, navigating it can become tedious.

Optimization is a particular concern, particularly for the Xbox Series S, the weakest console of the current generation. To ensure stable performance, developers will likely have to sacrifice some graphical effects and environmental density. Similar challenges may arise with the PC version, which will require quite powerful hardware.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. A PC release is expected later, possibly not before the end of 2027.