'GTA 6' Rumor Roundup: Female Lead, Biggest Map Ever, and Subscription
The much-anticipated "Grand Theft Auto 6" is making the rounds in the rumor mill. There's plenty of speculation on this reportedly upcoming Rockstar Games title. Here are three of the most circulated online.
'World of Warcraft' subscription type model
"GTA 6" is speculated to follow the subscription model of "World of Warcraft." That rumor has its root in an MCV UK article.
Take-Two Interactive Chief Executive Officer Strauss Zelnick was asked if the publisher and Rockstar Games still need to release another "GTA" title. Zelnik responded by saying that they need to meet consumers' interest and exceed their expectations. He cites "World of Warcraft" as one of those games that create interest and engagement from the market and make long-term profit out of it. Although "World of Warcraft's" model is different from "GTA's" current model, he didn't rule out a change in the game's business model over time, saying what's important is to be where the consumer is.
Biggest "GTA" map ever
Another rumor is that "GTA 6" will feature all the cities ever included in the franchise, with the "GTA" map fan art above included for support. The map went viral in "GTA 6" news when a Redditor uploaded it in a thread. He got the map from Cory Brayshaw in CarThrottle.com, who himself got it from Facebook. Thus, the original creator of this map is now difficult to trace.
But what seemed to have given this map credence is Digital Trends' interview with Rockstar producer Leslie Benzies. He mentioned how, at some point, he would like to have "one big world" with all of "GTA's" cities so players can revisit their favorite areas.
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes as male and female lead characters
Earlier this year, an anonymous source revealed "GTA 6" will be set in 80s Vice City with the protagonist "tailor made" for Ryan Gosling, who "already agreed to do it." The idea is intriguing and has since been picked up by many media outlets.
The grapevine didn't stop there. Owing to an interview with co-writer Dan Houser by The Guardian, speculation of Eva Mendes playing the female lead is now widely circulating as well. In that interview, Houser was asked about the possibility of having a female lead in the game to which he said it could be possible "for the right game in the future — with the right themes."
"GTA 6" is speculated to release in 2019, but neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive has confirmed nor denied any of these rumors yet.