GTA 6 Showcases Over 170 Wildlife Species, Dynamic Weather, and Six Diverse Regions

Rockstar Games has released fresh details and screenshots for Grand Theft Auto 6, showcasing the expansive open world players will explore when the game launches on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The Leonida map features more than 170 different animal species across six regions: Mount Kalaga National Park, Viceport, Downtown Vice City, Vice Beach, Groveport, and the Everglades-inspired wetlands. The roster includes over 60 types of birds, more than 30 land mammals, and various fish, reptiles, and other creatures. Several animals have never appeared in a Rockstar game before, including manatees, flamingos, pelicans, and alligators.

Michael Kane, Rockstar's Vice President of Dynamic Art, explained the team's approach to the ecosystem. "Florida has a diverse animal ecosystem that we wanted to faithfully include across the different biomes in Leonida. That includes everything from urban and rural environments to inland waterways, the ocean, swamps, and the Everglades-inspired wetlands," Kane said. He added that the animal art and population teams focused on delivering "animals that are accurately researched and look visually correct in every respect," with attention to "movement and animation to bring them to life."

The new screenshots reveal several playable activities. Hunting appears as a major feature, with images showing Jason in wilderness areas with a rifle, stalking deer. Other action-focused moments include masked robbery scenes with protagonists Lucia and Jason using cover during confrontations with bikers and during covert operations.

Rockstar has significantly evolved the weather system from Red Dead Redemption 2. The new system includes dynamic thunderstorms and hurricanes, with rain creating visible effects like puddles and rainbows that persist after showers pass. Screenshots showcase dramatic storm clouds and wet surfaces reflecting environmental changes.

The Leonida map is twice the size of GTA 5 and described as much denser. Side activities include street racing, off-road racing, and other unspecified pursuits. The overall scale represents Rockstar Games' largest map ever created.

Game Informer's coverage, which includes 12 to 13 new screenshots and additional details, marks a major information push ahead of the November 19th release.