GTA 6 weather and wildlife: hurricanes, 170+ animals, a 2x map
Hurricanes, 170+ animal species and a map roughly twice the size of GTA 5's: here's what Game Informer actually revealed about Leonida.
Leonida is shaping up to be far more than a sunny backdrop: Game Informer's cover story confirms hurricanes, more than 170 animal species and a map about twice as big as GTA 5's. We already covered the cover itself, so this time we're digging into the details, and flagging what Rockstar still hasn't explained.
#GTA6 #GTAVI #Leonida #ViceCity
The GTA 6 map is roughly twice the size of GTA 5
According to the feature published on September 29, Leonida is roughly double the size of GTA 5's world. The bigger story is density, though. Rockstar keeps pointing at rooftops, alleyways, interiors and all the connective space you used to blast past in Los Santos, and promises more interiors than any previous GTA.
The state is split into six main regions:
- Vice City: beaches, Art Deco streets and a cruise ship port;
- Leonida Keys: the island chain modeled on the Florida Keys;
- Grassrivers: Rockstar's take on the Everglades, all wetlands and things with teeth;
- Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga National Park.
Two quality-of-life touches stood out: a satellite-style pause map, and RydeMe, an in-game ride-share app that doubles as fast travel. You can chat with the driver, switch radio stations or scroll social media on the way.
GTA 6 weather: hurricanes and tropical storms are in
This is the headline. The weather system has been rebuilt from scratch and is now localized and persistent. It can be pouring in Vice City while the Keys stay bone dry, and puddles stick around after the rain stops instead of vanishing on cue.
- cloud formations that drift independently across the map;
- rainbows, lingering wet surfaces and water running off rooftops;
- simulated wind (offshore breezes, updrafts, buildings blocking gusts) that moves hair, debris, water and swamp grass;
- tropical storms and hurricanes with torrential rain, violent wind and lightning.
One caveat: Rockstar hasn't said how often hurricanes hit or whether they change gameplay in any meaningful way. Anything you read about storms shutting down missions or flooding roads is speculation for now.
170+ species, including "Legendary" animals
Red Dead Redemption 2's DNA is all over this. Leonida hosts over 170 species, including 60+ birds and 30+ land mammals. Confirmed so far: alligators, manatees, flamingos, pelicans, iguanas, armadillos, cane toads, rhesus macaques and feral cats, plus sharks, whales, rays, turtles and jellyfish, each with its own swimming animations rather than recycled ones.
Animals are sorted into Rare, Discoverable and Legendary tiers, which smells a lot like a collection to complete. The tech is impressive too: fur that gets wet, dirty or matted, iridescent feathers, translucent and bioluminescent sea life. Zoo visits even made the activity list.
| Feature | GTA 5 | GTA 6 (per Game Informer) |
|---|---|---|
| Map size | Baseline | About 2x larger |
| Weather | Map-wide | Localized, persistent, hurricanes |
| Wildlife | Far more limited | 170+ species, 60+ birds |
Plenty to do between heists
The confirmed list is long: base jumping, pool, gyms, kayaking, mini golf, scuba diving, street and off-road racing, airboats, jet skis, and couple activities like hiking for Jason and Lucia.
Our take: the map size matters less to us than the weather. "Twice as big" is a number every open world throws around, and it often just means more empty road. Localized, persistent hurricanes are a different beast: if Rockstar ties them to chases and heists, no two sessions will play out the same. Until we see that in action, though, we're keeping expectations in check. A gorgeous storm that changes nothing is just expensive scenery.
FAQ
Is the GTA 6 map bigger than GTA 5?
Yes. Game Informer reports Leonida is roughly twice the size of GTA 5's world, with denser streets and more interiors.
Does GTA 6 have hurricanes?
Yes, tropical storms and hurricanes are confirmed. How often they happen and how they affect gameplay hasn't been detailed yet.
How many animals are in GTA 6?
More than 170 species, including 60+ birds and 30+ land mammals, split into Rare, Discoverable and Legendary tiers.
So what are you more excited for: outrunning the cops in the middle of a hurricane, or tracking down a Legendary animal in Grassrivers? Tell us in the comments and share this with your GTA crew.
Sources
- GTABase – GTA 6 Game Informer Preview Reveals New Leonida & Weather Details
- eXputer – Game Informer Reveals New GTA 6 Details on Wildlife, Activities, and Weather
- VICE – All New GTA 6 Features Revealed By Game Informer
🛒 Get ready for November 19
- Pre-order GTA 6 for PS5
- Pre-order GTA 6 for Xbox Series X
- 2TB NVMe SSD for PS5 (a 2x map needs space)
- Gaming headset to hear the hurricane coming
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