Rockstar dev says GTA could leave the US, but not anytime soon

Rockstar North co-studio head and GTA 6 lead Rob Nelson has indicated that a future Grand Theft Auto game could potentially be set outside the United States, though the studio still sees plenty of creative possibilities within the country.

In an interview with The Guardian, Nelson was asked about the possibility of moving the series away from its traditional American settings. He responded, "Never say never, but there's still so much to do in America." The comment leaves the door open for a change of location, but suggests no immediate plans to abandon the US.

Nelson also touched on how Rockstar's international roots, including studios in Scotland, shape its portrayal of America. "I think we're all outsiders to this version of America," he said, adding, "no one experiences the America that we're portraying here in its fullness." This outsider perspective has long been a hallmark of the series, which satirizes American culture through exaggerated billboards, radio ads, and corporate parodies.

While the original Grand Theft Auto featured expansions set in London, the 3D era and beyond have focused exclusively on US locations like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Given that over 15 years have passed since the series last depicted New York in GTA 4, a return to that city or a move to a new state could be possibilities for future installments.