December 5, 2023
GTA 6 Trailer 1
The first official reveal of GTA 6. 90 seconds that broke the internet — introducing Leonida, Vice City, and protagonists Lucia and Jason.
Overview
GTA 6's first trailer dropped on December 5, 2023, and instantly became the most-watched video game trailer in YouTube history. In just 90 seconds, Rockstar confirmed years of rumors and leaks, revealing a contemporary reimagining of Vice City set in the fictional state of Leonida, with dual protagonists Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval.
The trailer opens with social media-style clips — vertical video, phone footage, influencer content — establishing that this GTA exists in the age of social media, TikTok, and viral fame. It's a bold creative choice that immediately differentiates GTA 6 from its predecessors and signals that Rockstar is engaging with contemporary culture rather than retreating into nostalgia.
The footage then transitions into a sweeping montage of Leonida, showcasing an environment of staggering visual fidelity. We see Vice City's skyline at sunset, the Everglades in mist, beaches teeming with life, and nightlife scenes that pulse with energy. The RAGE engine upgrade is immediately apparent — lighting, water rendering, crowd density, and environmental detail all represent a generational leap over GTA V.
Lucia's introduction is perhaps the trailer's most significant moment. We see her walking through what appears to be a correctional facility, establishing her criminal background from the first frame. The choice to open with a woman — and a Latina woman specifically — leaving prison was a deliberate statement of intent. This is not the GTA of old.
The Tom Petty soundtrack ("Love Is a Long Road") was a masterstroke of music supervision. The song's themes of perseverance through hardship mirror the protagonists' journey, while its classic rock sound bridges old-school Vice City nostalgia with the contemporary setting. It's also a Florida connection — Petty was from Gainesville.
The trailer ends with the GTA VI logo and a simple "2025" — which would later be updated to 2026 as the release date solidified. In 90 seconds, Rockstar generated more discussion, analysis, and excitement than most games manage in their entire marketing campaigns.
Frame-by-Frame Breakdown
Social Media Montage
The trailer opens with vertical video clips mimicking social media content: a woman filming herself at a pool party, mudding trucks, a police arrest filmed by bystanders, and a Floridian man wrestling an alligator. This establishes the social media age setting and introduces Leonida's culture through the lens of viral content. The aspect ratios shift between vertical (phone), horizontal (cinematic), and even what appears to be security camera footage.
Leonida Revealed
Wide aerial shots reveal the scope of the map. We see Vice City's skyline across a bay (Biscayne Bay equivalent), the Everglades stretching to the horizon, the Leonida Keys' chain of islands, and dense urban sprawl. The draw distance is extraordinary — you can see from the swamps to the coast in a single uncut camera move. The color palette is warm — sunset oranges, tropical greens, ocean blues.
Lucia's Introduction
We see Lucia walking through a correctional facility hallway. Her expression is determined but guarded. She's in plain civilian clothes, suggesting release rather than intake. A brief flash shows what may be a mugshot or booking photo. This 15-second sequence establishes more character than most game trailers manage in their entirety.
Vice City Street Life
A rapid montage of street-level Vice City: Ocean Drive at night with neon reflections, a strip club exterior (the Vanilla Unicorn's spiritual successor?), lowriders cruising, NPCs dancing, food trucks, beach volleyball, and the general chaos of a GTA world in full swing. NPC density is remarkable — every frame is packed with life and activity.
Lucia & Jason Together
The duo appears together for the first time. They're in a car — Jason driving, Lucia riding shotgun. The chemistry is immediately apparent even in this brief clip. We see them robbing a convenience store (classic GTA), fleeing in a muscle car, and sharing a quiet moment on a beach. The relationship dynamic is established in seconds.
Action Montage
The trailer's climax is a rapid-fire action montage: a highway shootout, a boat chase through the Keys, an explosion at what appears to be a drug operation, cops in pursuit, a helicopter sequence, and Jason leaping from a moving vehicle. The action choreography looks more grounded and realistic than GTA V, with weight and consequence visible in every movement.
Logo & Date
The iconic GTA VI logo appears, rendered in a clean, modern typeface with a subtle Vice City sunset gradient. '2025' appears below (later revised). The logo lingers, letting the magnitude of the moment settle. After over a decade, GTA 6 is real.