Rockstar Games is known for its satirical approach to contemporary culture in the Grand Theft Auto series. However, the studio has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not directly incorporate references to specific real-world events such as the rise of Donald Trump or the COVID-19 pandemic.
Studio head Rob Nelson explained that the long development cycles of Grand Theft Auto games necessitate a focus on themes with lasting relevance. "We run the risk of dating ourselves in a sort of awkward way," Nelson told The New York Times. "So we have to look at things and go, *What is going to have a timeless sort of quality that will speak very easily to relatable sort of human folly and foibles and will be remembered as part of this time?"
While explicit mentions of these recent events are being avoided, Nelson suggested that the game may still touch upon broader cultural phenomena that are adjacent to them, such as the prevalence of conspiracy theories. The goal is to ensure the satire remains impactful and relatable without quickly becoming obsolete.
Nelson further elaborated in an IGN preview that while the studio must be careful not to "jump on stuff" that will date quickly, they will "choose our angle of approach carefully and decide what things are going to be a bit more timeless." He clarified that highly specific political issues or internet memes are likely to date the game, though broader themes are still fair game for satire.
This approach does not preclude the use of contemporary internet culture entirely. Previous trailers for Grand Theft Auto 6 have featured elements that appear to reference popular memes, including what seemed to be a nod to the "Florida Joker" and various viral TikTok clips. Despite these inclusions, the overarching aim is to maintain a sense of timelessness.
To further this goal, Rockstar is reportedly avoiding contemporary slang in the game's dialogue to prevent it from feeling dated. Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.