Did GTA 6 just secretly reveal its massive map? Here's what we know about the viral rumours

Anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, a.k.a. GTA 6, has reached a fever pitch once again after eagle-eyed fans spotted what they believe to be a hidden map clue concealed within newly released promotional material. A fleeting trailer frame, barely noticeable billboard details, or subtle background textures have become the centre of intense online scrutiny. With Rockstar Games known for weaving cryptic teases into its marketing, the discovery has fuelled fresh speculation that the studio may be quietly hinting at the true scope and setting of its next blockbuster open-world epic.

According to Battle of Guardians, speculation took off when sharp-eyed viewers identified what appears to be a faint coastline outline or intricate road layout hidden within a background scene.

When placed side by side with long-circulating fan-made map concepts and alleged leaks, the similarities are difficult to ignore. Some fans have even highlighted signage referencing unannounced neighbourhoods, while others claim to see subtle coordinates embedded within environmental textures.

While these details could easily be brushed off as stylish design choices, long-time followers of Rockstar Games know the studio rarely includes anything by accident. From secret alien mysteries in Grand Theft Auto V to the layered environmental storytelling of Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar has built a reputation for carefully planted hints.

Amid the bizarre theories, rumours suggest that the map in GTA 6 could be nearly twice the size of GTA 5, a claim that has only intensified anticipation around the title.

If accurate, this would mark a dramatic leap in scale for Rockstar Games, potentially delivering a world that stretches far beyond a single city into multiple regions, towns, and diverse landscapes. As soon as the post surfaced on Reddit, fans quickly reacted to it. One said, "Make dense worlds, not big ones. I've spent more hours, had more fun, and have had much more memorable experiences walking the 1.5ish square city blocks of Kamurocho than I have in any of these 2000-square-mile monstrosities you see in modern open-world games that inevitably end up being mostly repeated stuff over and over again until all those miles just blend together into one soupy mess of nothingness you forget the next morning."

While another said, "This is the 5th version of the GTA 6 map that someone posted. It's all fake."

For years, speculation has centred on the possibility of a return to Vice City, the iconic, neon-drenched setting first brought to life in GTA 6. The alleged map clue appears to showcase a sprawling coastal metropolis complete with multiple islands, layered highway systems and surrounding swamp terrain, featuring strong associations with a modern reimagining of Vice City.

While, rather than simply recreating the classic map, fans believe Rockstar Games may be expanding the setting into a much broader region, incorporating rural backroads, wetlands and interconnected districts beyond the urban core.