Rockstar Games' latest free update for Grand Theft Auto Online, the Kortz Center Heist, has inadvertently become a hotbed for Grand Theft Auto 6 speculation, thanks to a collection of new in-game paintings. Released on July 14, the update introduces an art museum that players can rob, adding various artworks that can be sold or kept. It's these newly acquirable paintings that have drawn the attention of eagle-eyed fans, who are convinced that several pieces contain direct references to the highly anticipated GTA 6.
One painting, titled "La Dernière Débauche," initially appears to depict scantily clad women dancing. However, some fans interpret it as a subtle representation of the GTA 6 map. When overlaid with fan-created maps derived from GTA 6 trailer footage, the similarities are striking enough to suggest a deliberate tease from Rockstar.
Another piece, simply named "Trust," is also under scrutiny. This title echoes the dialogue between protagonists Lucia and Jason at the end of the first GTA 6 trailer. The painting itself features a scene of a robbery at a cafe or diner, a scenario that bears resemblance to leaked GTA 6 gameplay footage from 2022 showing the characters committing a similar crime.
Beyond these debated references, the update includes a more explicit nod to the next installment. A new character, Yong-Rae, an expert art counterfeiter, sports a T-shirt emblazoned with "Art Oregano Vice City." This phrase appears to be a playful alteration of the real-world Art Basel fair, often held in Miami, a city heavily rumored to be the setting for GTA 6. Furthermore, Yong-Rae wears a necklace similar to one seen on Cal Hampton, a character featured in official GTA 6 promotional materials, raising questions about potential connections or asset reuse by Rockstar.
The proliferation of these detailed references within Grand Theft Auto Online suggests that Rockstar is intentionally ramping up the anticipation for GTA 6. Given Rockstar's history, it is possible that further updates could introduce even more direct connections to the sequel before its release later this year.