The digital version of our exclusive Grand Theft Auto VI cover story is now live, and the story focuses on how Rockstar Games approached making the game’s state of Leonida as accurate as possible to its real-world inspiration, Florida. A crucial element of Florida’s patchwork is its native, exotic, and outright invasive wildlife.
Leonida will teem with over 170 animal species across land, air, and sea, several of which have never appeared in a Rockstar Game. Native Florida animals such as flamingos, manatees, pelicans, and, of course, alligators will coexist alongside invasive creatures such as green iguanas, cane toads, feral cats, and even rhesus macaque monkeys (Yes, Florida has monkeys).
Additionally, Rockstar is building upon its work on the Red Dead Redemption series by having animals demonstrate iridescence, bioluminescence, translucency, and feather types, plus new hair and fur systems for coats and pelts. You can also track certain animals categorized as Rare, Discoverable, and Legendary, though the identities of these harder-to-find creatures are being kept secret.
To read Rockstar’s full developer details and insights into GTAVI’s wildlife and other game features, be sure to subscribe to read the full cover story.