GTA 6 Gameplay Details: New Screenshots, Weather Systems, and Map Regions Revealed by Game Informer

Fresh Grand Theft Auto VI details have emerged about seven weeks before launch, with 12 new screenshots and information about the game's localised weather systems, wildlife and world of Leonida.

The magazine's digital issue features a 14-page cover story on Rockstar Games' upcoming open-world title, including interviews with members of the development team and 12 exclusive screenshots.

The coverage explores Vice City and the wider state of Leonida, including its weather, wildlife and activities.

GTA 6 Details Highlight Weather and Wildlife

The screenshots show a range of environments, from Vice City's urban landscape to more rural areas of Leonida. The variety suggests that Rockstar is placing considerable emphasis on environmental detail and world-building.

Rockstar has confirmed localised, dynamic weather systems that include tropical storms and hurricanes. Conditions can vary across different parts of Leonida, but it is not yet clear how frequently the larger storms will occur or how they will affect gameplay and storytelling.

Leonida will also feature more than 170 animal species across land, air and sea. The wildlife includes native Florida animals such as flamingos, manatees, pelicans and alligators, alongside invasive species including green iguanas, cane toads, feral cats and rhesus macaque monkeys.

The game's animals are also being developed with features including iridescence, bioluminescence, translucency and different feather, hair and fur systems. Some animals can be tracked as Rare, Discoverable or Legendary, although Rockstar has not revealed the identities of the hardest-to-find creatures.

Leonida spans six main regions, while the overall Grand Theft Auto VI map has been reported as roughly twice the size of the Grand Theft Auto V map. Vice City itself has separately been described as roughly twice the size of Los Santos, so the two comparisons should not be treated as equivalent.

Several of the screenshots have also circulated across social media and gaming forums, prompting discussion about the game's clouds, landscapes and wildlife.

The images offer a closer look at Rockstar's approach to recreating a fictionalised version of Florida without relying on unsupported claims about their reach or audience reaction.

Activities and Replayability

Activities include billiards, gym visits, kayaking, mini-golf, scuba diving, street and off-road racing, visits to zoos, air boating and jet skiing.

These details point to a world designed to offer more than mission-to-mission progression. However, the coverage does not establish that players will need multiple playthroughs to experience all the story content, or that minor actions will necessarily create major narrative changes.

The activities may also help develop the relationship between protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia, according to reports. Rockstar's official website identifies the pair as Jason and Lucia, while gaming reporters refer to Lucia as Lucia Caminos.

Release Date and Pre-Loading

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar says digital pre-orders can begin pre-loading the game on 12 November; that date does not provide early access to the game.

Rockstar is also selling the Goodtime State: Vice City Collection. The collection includes a Macca the Gator figure, Oakley Frogskins sunglasses, a Leonida Keys crossbody bag, a poster featuring the Leonida map and several other themed items. Rockstar states that Grand Theft Auto VI is sold separately.

The game's digital issue and full cover story are now available, featuring 12 screenshots and additional developer insights.

What Remains Unclear

Several reported details are confirmed, including the screenshots, localised weather, tropical storms and hurricanes, the animal count, the release date and the supported platforms.

Other points remain uncertain, particularly how often severe storms will occur and whether they will affect gameplay or storytelling.

The new coverage offers a closer look at how Rockstar is approaching world-building, weather and wildlife ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's November launch.