GTA 6’s Overt Meta Narrative Should Play on Both Sides of the Fence

April 29, 2024

After several years, GTA 5 is finally receiving a sequel titled Grand Theft Auto 6. From the trailer, it’s apparent that the high-action insanity players have come to expect from the franchise is still present, though it’ll be in a setting with some familiar and new locations.

The reveal trailer borrows heavily from viral TikTok videos from Florida, which makes for a few laughs. Rockstar shouldn’t stop there with its meta narrative in Grand Theft Auto 6, however. In addition to reporting on real-world news, it should also report on the player’s actions.

Grand Theft Auto 6’s return to the glitz of Vice City should come along with expansive additions to an element related to its geography.

After years of waiting, Rockstar finally released the first trailer for GTA 6. It features scenes from Leonida, a fictional state that features Vice City. It is inspired by Florida, and those with keen eyes have noticed that the trailer makes references to many real-world Floridian events.

The most prominent is the mugshot of “Florida Joker” that went viral in 2017. It also references the 2013 event of an alligator entering Walmart is also referenced, the viral Tiktok video of a woman holding two hammers and smashing up cars, and general Floridan culture as well, such as riding ATVs on the street and the Redneck Mud Park. Plenty more is featured, and it’s mostly based on viral videos from the States.

The Floridan Joker’s Response to Rockstar

Not everyone was happy with the trailer when it was released, including the Florida Joker who threatened to sue Rockstar. This threat didn’t last for long, and the eccentric man instead now claims he wants to negotiate with Rockstar and get a job with them voicing the character.

From the trailer, it appears that GTA will have two protagonists, one of them being a female protagonist. Heists also seem to be back on the menu, confirming that players will be leading a life of crime once again.

It would be a great idea if the news and the Grand Theft Auto radio made commentary on the different crimes committed by the player. For instance, if a massive heist is successfully pulled off, players should be able to hear about it when they turn on the radio in the car. Perhaps wanted posters could also appear around town. This would add to the realism of the game while adding a meta layer to the narrative.

The Importance of GTA’s Radio

The in-car radio featured in GTA games has played an important role since it first appeared. Various GTA radio stations provide music that firmly places each game in its time period. Talk shows also add to the humor, and present satire on American culture and real-world politics.

There are few titles as highly anticipated as GTA 6, and if it’s anything like its predecessor, its release will be a record-breaking event. With the upcoming game, Rockstar has a lot of room to innovate on what it has built over the years and this could include a more meta focus on the activities players get up to in the wacky State of Leonida.