A contractor involved in the marketing rollout for Grand Theft Auto 6 claims he was terminated from his position after posting a video of Vice City-themed beach furniture. The individual, who identified himself as Graham Simmon on TikTok, stated that he was instructed to film and share content related to the promotional setup.
Simmon explained that he posted a video of himself unboxing and showcasing the chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas adorned with Vice City branding. He noted that the initial video received fewer than 1,000 views before he was told to remove it. However, the footage was subsequently shared and gained traction across various social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, ultimately going viral.
According to Simmon, the company he was contracted with "didn't like that," leading to his dismissal. He attributed the loss of his job to "GTA 6" and the viral nature of the shared content. Simmon mentioned that he was new to the job and was not explicitly informed that recording and sharing such footage was prohibited. Despite the outcome, Simmon expressed understanding, stating on TikTok that he considered it "his fault" and was not blaming the company, but rather wanted to share what he saw as a "funny story."
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox consoles. The game's marketing campaign has seen various activations across Miami, the city that inspired Vice City, including blimps and collaborations with local sports events.