Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to return players to the sun-drenched, crime-ridden streets of Vice City. However, the enduring appeal of the Grand Theft Auto series lies in its potential for reinvention, and many alternative settings could provide compelling backdrops for criminal endeavors.
One imaginative leap would transport the series to a hypothetical future on the moon. Such a setting, reminiscent of shows like The Expanse, could explore interstellar crime and offer a stark contrast to Earth-bound escapades. Swapping conventional vehicles for spaceships and engaging in off-planet heists presents a unique opportunity for Rockstar's signature social commentary in a less reality-bound environment.
Alternatively, a focus on rural America could highlight different facets of societal decay and crime. The heightened social pressures and more overt disparities between the wealthy and the struggling in small towns offer fertile ground for gritty storytelling, echoing themes explored in titles like Far Cry 5. Similarly, a return to London, a city with a rich cultural tapestry and numerous U.K. studios within Rockstar's network, could offer a distinct perspective, moving beyond the established American urban landscape.
The series could also explore a post-criminal career narrative, akin to the detective gameplay of L.A. Noire. Imagining a scenario where protagonists have achieved success only to be apprehended and forced to collaborate with law enforcement would offer a fresh dynamic, shifting the player's role from perpetrator to informant within the crime thriller genre.
For those seeking a more fantastical approach, a Grand Theft Auto game set in a Dungeons & Dragons realm like the Forgotten Realms could be explored. The presence of rogues, thieves, and bustling cities rife with injustice presents an inherent fit for a crime-focused narrative, albeit with a re-imagined concept of vehicular larceny.
Leaping back in time, 1st-century Rome during the early Roman Empire presents a volatile society ripe for political corruption and social upheaval. A narrative focused on outsiders navigating and exploiting Roman values could offer a compelling exploration of timeless themes.
The 1980s, a decade marked by significant cultural, economic, and political shifts globally, remains a largely untapped setting for the series, despite its dramatic potential. Games like Yakuza 0 have demonstrated the rich narrative possibilities within this era.
A political thriller set in a Washington D.C. equivalent could also offer a novel experience, drawing players into a world of espionage and political intrigue stemming from a casual revelation. Rockstar's ability to weave intricate narratives suggests they could excel in this genre.
Suburban settings, such as Carmel, Indiana, could provide a unique challenge. The contrast between a seemingly pristine, wholesome environment and the introduction of criminal elements could offer a different kind of narrative thrill, focusing on the corruption of innocence.
Finally, a return to Liberty City, particularly in the vein of its portrayal in Grand Theft Auto IV, offers a potent setting for critiquing American culture and its false promises. While Vice City evokes themes of extreme wealth juxtaposed with poverty, Liberty City's established identity as a reflection of societal flaws provides a deep well for meaningful storytelling within the Grand Theft Auto universe.