Back in 2013, years before Rockstar had said a word about GTA 6, a small beach towel prop in GTA V sparked a theory that refused to die. It read "I Love Vice City" — and for over a decade, fans treated it as a secret hint about where the next game would be set. They were eventually proven right about the location. Whether they were right about the era is a different story entirely.
Quick Answer
The theory that GTA 6 would be set entirely in the 1980s, mirroring the original Vice City, has been largely debunked since the first trailer dropped in December 2023 — it clearly showed a modern-day setting with smartphones, current vehicles, and present-day culture. A scaled-down version of the theory still circulates: not a full 80s game, but a brief flashback or prologue sequence set in the past, similar to how GTA V opened with a 2004 heist before jumping to 2013. This remains unconfirmed speculation, not a leak or official detail.
Where the GTA 6 1980s Vice City Theory Came From
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2013 | "I Love Vice City" towel spotted in GTA V, sparks early speculation |
| 2013-2022 | Theory treated as a joke by much of the fanbase |
| Dec 2023 | First trailer confirms Vice City setting, but modern-day |
| 2024-2026 | Full-1980s theory fades; scaled-down flashback theory persists |
For years, bringing up the towel Easter egg got you laughed at in fan forums — the general feeling was that Rockstar would never revisit a setting it had already covered so thoroughly in 2002's Vice City. When the first trailer finally confirmed a return to that city, a lot of people who'd been mocked for years suddenly felt validated. The catch: the trailer also confirmed the setting is modern, not retro.
How the First Trailer Changed the GTA 6 Timeline Theory
The December 2023 trailer answered the "where" question and closed the door on the "when" question at the same time. Smartphones, modern vehicle designs, and contemporary culture references throughout the footage made clear this is present-day Vice City, not a period piece. That single trailer effectively ended the version of the theory that predicted a full game set in the 1980s.
Is a GTA 6 1980s Flashback Still Possible?
A smaller, more realistic version of the theory hasn't gone away. Lucia's official Rockstar bio confirms she was raised in Liberty City by her mother — a detail some fans think could support a flashback sequence exploring her past, rather than a full retro setting. It's a reasonable guess, but it's still just that: a guess. Nothing in either trailer or any official material confirms a flashback sequence exists.
What Rockstar Has Done Before With Timelines
The flashback theory has some precedent worth noting. GTA V opened with a prologue set in 2004 before jumping forward to the main 2013 story. The Red Dead Redemption series has done something similar across its two entries, spanning years between character arcs. Rockstar clearly isn't opposed to playing with time jumps — it just hasn't confirmed doing so for GTA 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GTA 6 set in the 1980s? No. The confirmed setting, based on both trailers, is present-day Vice City.
Where did the 1980s Vice City theory come from? It traces back to a 2013 Easter egg — a towel reading "I Love Vice City" — spotted in GTA V, years before GTA 6 was even confirmed to exist.
Could GTA 6 still have a flashback sequence? It's possible, based on Rockstar's history with prologues and time jumps in GTA V and Red Dead Redemption, but nothing has been confirmed either way.
Does Lucia's backstory support a flashback theory? Her Rockstar bio confirms she grew up in Liberty City, which fans point to as a possible flashback opportunity — but this is fan speculation, not a confirmed detail.
Has Rockstar addressed this theory directly? No. Rockstar has never commented on fan timeline theories for GTA 6.
GTA6Realm is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. This article covers unconfirmed fan theories, clearly separated from officially confirmed details.
Share your thoughts about GTA 6! Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.