GTA 6 devs rode in a helicopter over a Beyoncé concert and met 'colorful characters' who revealed their crimes while researching Miami — 'As soon as they know where you're from, they just want to tell you every crime they or their friends have ever done'

Rockstar also visited "some scary places"

News By Demi Williams Published 20 October 2026

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Threads
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

• Bloomberg's Jason Schreier says Rockstar Games went on trips to Miami for research for Grand Theft Auto 6
• Rockstar went on "police ride-alongs" and "wound up hovering over a Beyoncé concert" in a helicopter
• The developers also met people who revealed their past crimes when they learned the team worked on GTA

Rockstar Games did extensive research on Miami for Grand Theft Auto 6 and even encountered people who shared about past crimes when they learned the developers worked on GTA.

Speaking in a new YouTube video about his time at Rockstar North and his behind-the-scenes experience seeing GTA 6 before the general public, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier said he was told about the many trips Rockstar developers, including artists and leadership, made to Miami.

Since Miami and Los Angeles inspired GTA 6's Vice City, the team chose to do in-person research. They went on group trips and "went all over the place" for inspiration, even doing "police ride-alongs" and visiting "some scary places."

Latest Videos FromTechRadarWatch full video here:

"At one point, some of the artists were in a helicopter taking photos of aerial views of the city, and they wound up hovering over a Beyoncé concert," Schreier said.

Some New Things I Learned About Grand Theft Auto VI And Rockstar - YouTube

Watch On

Speaking more about the ride-alongs, Rockstar also met tons of "really colorful characters" in Miami who shared their own life experiences with the developers.

Senior vice president of technology Jonathan Ashcroft revealed to Schreier that he spent his 40th birthday at a nightclub during one of these trips and said it was funny because he and some other developers were "these light-skinned Scottish people just like looking totally out of place wandering around this club" and "scrutinizing the lighting instead while everyone else around them is partying."

Returning to these "colorful characters" Rockstar met, Ashcroft said that they would divulge information about past crimes when they learned the team worked on GTA.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors