Few other developers are as prolific as Rockstar Games, a team that has spent over two decades working in the open-world genre. Its next project, which leaks have suggested is Grand Theft Auto 6, could be a massively influential entry in the story-driven, criminal sandbox series rumored to return to Vice City. Part parody, part drama, the Grand Theft Auto IP is unique in how it approaches pop culture using a cinematic scope that is difficult for other titles to compete with. Despite having revealed little about the sequel thus far, its potential seems high with the Vice City setting known to have a thriving music scene as well.
If Grand Theft Auto 6 is going back to the Miami-inspired city, it should consider the weight of certain cultural themes associated with that region. In the original Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, music was one of many artistic touchstones that Rockstar incorporated into its open-world atmosphere. Clubs and radio stations were especially memorable, as these features helped bring the city to life with period-appropriate soundtracks. While the vibes may not be the same if GTA6 is set closer to the present day, it can still try to outdo prior depictions of Vice City with a larger, more ambitious take on cultural touchstones.
Music Could Be the Heart of Grand Theft Auto 6's Open World
As Rockstar Games' production quality evolved through newer console generations, greater technical fidelity has elevated a lot of the interactive stories it tells. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has aged in some ways, but it still left an indelible mark on one of gaming's most iconic franchises. Many old-school GTA fans may fondly remember Vice City's variety of radio stations, including Wildstyle, Flash FM, and V-Rock, which hosted hip hop, pop rock, and heavy metal music respectively. The game provided some of the series' best musical selections, which also reflected well upon its time period.
In 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 released with a mix of popular modern songs and throwback 80s hits. In many ways, it set the tone for an experience revolving around older criminals getting the gang back together, but one could argue that its soundtrack ended up limited in retrospect. Since then, Rockstar has shifted its priorities from single-player to GTA Online multiplayer, but has additionally highlighted popular music artists like Julian Casablancas and Dr. Dre as in-universe characters. Past GTA entries were usually careful about balancing the number of music genres and artists represented in-game, so a GTA 6 set in Vice City has somewhat of a starting point to give its open world more personality.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Might Be Good Inspiration For Future Rockstar Titles
Vice City as a setting was colorful and full of references that gave the city an authentic feel for its classic, urban beachside. On the surface it was a getaway, but beneath all the glitz and glamor, players found a criminal underworld that was entertaining and evocative. It was also one of a few popular games to feature celebrity cameos, bringing further credibility to its world. A spin-off, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, even included missions with singer-songwriter Phil Collins, as well as an in-game, animated concert.
Grand Theft Auto 6 could emulate some of these memorable moments by bringing in real musicians as part of its world, creating a simulated music scene complete with unique performances. It's these kinds of activities that might make Rockstar's next open-world game truly revolutionary, as Vice City's clubs would reasonably attract larger audiences. Seeing a larger focus on music during gameplay, alongside a more diverse music selection than GTA 5, is something that may take the game world far beyond what is usually expected from action-adventure titles.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently in development.