One Vice City Cameo in GTA 6 Seems Likelier Than Ever Now

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Grand Theft Auto 6

Now that Rockstar has given gamers their first glance at the updated version of Vice City in Grand Theft Auto 6, many fans of the franchise are already speculating about whether the city’s most famous face, Tommy Vercetti, will make a cameo appearance. While the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer introduced the game’s pair of protagonists, many franchise fans were disappointed that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City's Tommy was nowhere to be seen. Though the game’s modern-day setting and the death of actor Ray Liotta make it unlikely that Tommy will play a major role in Grand Theft Auto 6, there are still ways for Rockstar to bring the iconic character back for one last appearance.

While the trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 reveals how much Vice City has changed in the decades since its first appearance, it also shows the titular town’s criminal underworld continuing to flourish. With Tommy Vercetti having taken his place as the city’s undisputed crime boss at the end of GTA: Vice City, it’s likely his influence would continue to be felt in the modern day. Exploring how Tommy’s old-school gangster ways come into conflict with today’s criminals would be a great premise for a Grand Theft Auto 6 mission and let Rockstar pay homage to the character even if he doesn’t directly appear in the game.

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An Elderly Tommy Vercetti Could be an Antagonist in GTA 6

One way that Grand Theft Auto 6 could bring Tommy Vercetti back is by having players meet the now-elderly character as part of a mission chain. Just as Tommy fought his way to the top of the criminal food chain throughout GTA: Vice City, eliminating anyone who stood in his way, the protagonists of GTA 6 could find themselves on a similar trajectory. If Tommy is still in control of Vice City’s criminal underworld during GTA 6, this could set players on a collision course with the criminal kingpin.

Coming face-to-face with Tommy Vercetti would be a treat for long-time fans of the Grand Theft Auto series, but it could prove difficult given the death of actor Ray Liotta in 2022. The voice of Tommy Vercetti, Liotta’s history of playing gangsters in films like Goodfellas helped him infuse the role with a sense of realism that could be hard to replicate. Although it’s possible a new actor could take over the role, Rockstar may be better off having players encounter Tommy’s legacy rather than the man himself.

Tommy Vercetti’s Legacy Should Loom Large Over GTA 6’s Vice City

Rather than having players encounter Tommy Vercetti in the flesh, GTA 6 could explore his lasting legacy in Vice City. Having Tommy die shortly before the start of GTA 6 would open the door to a narrative where players find themselves fighting for control of his now-leaderless criminal empire. Even though players wouldn’t get to meet Tommy personally, the legacy of his time as Vice City’s kingpin would be impossible to ignore.

Exploring how Tommy’s old-school criminal empire adapts to the modern world without him at the helm would be a great setup for the sort of violent, twisting narrative the GTA franchise has become known for. If this premise was central to the game’s story, rather than just serving as a side mission, players could even find themselves being forced to choose between working with the remnants of Tommy’s gang or the young thugs looking to replace them.

With GTA 6 returning to Vice City, it only seems right for Tommy Vercetti to play some part in the story. Whether that’s by giving players a chance to meet the man or simply grappling with his lasting impact on the city, Tommy deserves one last chance to shine.