Rockstar Hints at International Expansion for GTA, but American Roots Remain Deep

Rockstar Games is keeping an open mind about expanding the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise beyond U.S. borders, but it seems that the heart of the series remains firmly rooted in America. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson hinted at the possibility of an international GTA game, stating, "Never say never." However, he also emphasized the wealth of stories still to be told within U.S. borders. Over the past 25 years, the GTA series has predominantly revolved around three American locations: Liberty City (representing New York), Vice City (Miami), and San Andreas (California). Although a brief foray into the Midwest was shown in Grand Theft Auto V with the snowy state of North Yankton, most of the series has focused on coastal cities. It appears that Rockstar is still exploring what else it can do with GTA's American setting.

In the past, Rockstar came close to developing a GTA game set in Japan during the early to mid-2000s, and the first GTA also featured an expansion set in London. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto V seemed to have abandoned DLC plans that would have at least partially taken place in Paris. Former GTA writer and creative director Dan Houser expressed similar sentiments last year, stating that he didn't believe a full GTA game would work as well outside of America. According to him, "the game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider's perspective... But that was so much about what the thing was that it wouldn't really have worked in the same way elsewhere."

While a global GTA adventure may be on the horizon, Rockstar appears to be focused on American culture for now. This is evident as Grand Theft Auto VI will return players to Vice City next week when it launches on November 19. Anticipation for the game's release is high, with it already being the most preordered game in the history of Xbox and PlayStation's digital stores. Players can preload the game now, as it weighs a substantial 210 GBs. Cade Onder, a freelancer for IGN's news team, covered this story and is available on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

In an exciting development for gaming enthusiasts worldwide, Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will take players back to Vice City when it launches on November 19. With a preorder count already breaking records on Xbox and PlayStation's digital stores, anticipation is at an all-time high. However, in a recent interview with The Guardian, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson hinted that the series might not be limited to American shores for much longer. When asked about the possibility of GTA games set outside the U.S., Nelson responded, "Never say never."

Though details are scarce, this is not the first time Rockstar has flirted with taking the franchise abroad. In the early to mid-2000s, the studio came close to creating a game set in Japan, and the first GTA also had an expansion set in London. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto V seemingly abandoned DLC plans that would have at least partially taken place in Paris. These past explorations suggest that Rockstar is considering expanding the series beyond its traditional American settings.

Former GTA writer Dan Houser echoed this sentiment last year, stating that he didn't believe a full GTA game would work as well outside of America. "The game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider's perspective... But that was so much about what the thing was that it wouldn't really have worked in the same way elsewhere," Houser explained. For now, it seems that Rockstar remains focused on American culture, with GTA 6 returning players to Vice City. With a whopping 210 GB file size and preload options available now, gamers are encouraged to prepare for what is expected to be one of the biggest game launches in history.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson hinted that the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise might be branching out beyond its traditional U.S. settings. When asked about the possibility of GTA games set outside America, Nelson responded, "Never say never." However, he also emphasized the wealth of stories still to be told within U.S. borders.

Over the past 25 years, the GTA series has predominantly revolved around three American locations: Liberty City (representing New York), Vice City (Miami), and San Andreas (California). Although a brief foray into the Midwest was shown in Grand Theft Auto V with the snowy state of North Yankton, most of the series has focused on coastal cities. It appears that Rockstar is still exploring what else it can do with GTA's American setting.

In the past, Rockstar came close to developing a GTA game set in Japan during the early to mid-2000s, and the first GTA also featured an expansion set in London. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto V seemed to have abandoned DLC plans that would have at least partially taken place in Paris. These past explorations suggest that Rockstar is considering expanding the series beyond its traditional American settings.

Former GTA writer Dan Houser expressed similar sentiments last year, stating that he didn't believe a full GTA game would work as well outside of America. "The game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider's perspective... But that was so much about what the thing was that it wouldn't really have worked in the same way elsewhere," Houser explained. For now, it seems that Rockstar remains focused on American culture, with GTA 6 returning players to Vice City next week when it launches on November 19. Anticipation for the game's release is high, with it already being the most preordered game in the history of Xbox and PlayStation's digital stores. Players can preload the game now, as it weighs a substantial 210 GBs.