Rockstar Games Issues Takedowns After Alleged GTA VI Map Leak
A leaked map of the state of Leonida has surfaced online, though community analysts warn the imagery is fake.
A detailed map of the state of Leonida, the setting for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, has leaked online. The imagery, attributed to a group called Cyberleek, has prompted an immediate legal response from Rockstar Games.
The leaked map depicts a sprawling open world divided into five distinct counties: Kelly, Lummox, Leonard, Vice Dale, and Mariana. Following the spread of these images, Rockstar Games began issuing DMCA takedowns to remove the leaked content from various platforms across the web, according to reports from GamesRadar+ and Beebom.
The Return to Vice City
GTA VI marks the series' return to Vice City, a fictionalized version of Miami. The project has been under intense scrutiny since a massive leak of early development footage occurred in 2022. Since then, the gaming community has engaged in extensive "mapping projects," where fans analyze official trailers and GTA Online teases to piece together the game's geography. This culture of meticulous tracking has created a environment where any new map leak is scrutinized by thousands of analysts almost instantly.
Industry Implications
While the leak suggests a significant leap in scale and environmental variety—featuring a mix of urban centers and rural counties—the authenticity of the map is under heavy fire. The GTA 6 Mapping Project, a leading community effort in tracking the game's development, has analyzed the leaked imagery and stated that the map is entirely fake. Their conclusion is based on the map's failure to align with confirmed locations identified through official Rockstar communications and verified development leaks.
What to Watch
The conflict between leaked "insider" information and community-led verification highlights the volatility of the GTA VI information cycle. While Rockstar Games continues to aggressively scrub the internet of leaked assets, the studio has yet to officially comment on the specific validity of the Cyberleek map. For now, players are advised to rely on the official "Fall 2025" release window mentioned in the first trailer, as other specific dates circulating online remain unconfirmed.