Fans Fear GTA 6 Mirrors Real Life Too Closely

The vibrant streets of Grand Theft Auto 6‘s Leonida are filled with an array of quirky characters that enhance Rockstar’s satirical take on Florida. Typically, these fictional non-playable characters strike a balance between being absurdly random and convincingly realistic. Given the over 8 billion people in the world, it’s likely you could find someone resembling any character featured in the GTA 6 trailers. However, two particular instances have caught the attention of fans who believe Rockstar may have borrowed the likeness of real individuals.

The first incident emerged in 2024 when Laurence Sullivan, known as the “Florida Joker,” threatened legal action against Rockstar over a character that he claimed closely resembled his infamous 2017 mugshot. While the in-game character shared some features with Sullivan, inspired by DC’s Dark Knight, he ultimately decided against suing the creators of GTA 6. Instead, he sought millions of dollars for the “free marketing” he believed he was providing, but to date, there’s been no indication that Sullivan received any compensation.

Additionally, the same trailer that introduced GTA 6 featured a Black character with dreadlocks, a white tank top, and an array of gold chains. This portrayal prompted a reaction from TikToker zoeepoppyy, who posted a video in 2023 standing beside a still from the trailer.

“They done cloned Tyrone,” he remarked with disapproval. “Can I get paid?” He highlighted similarities in hair, jewelry, glasses, and facial features as proof of imitation.

Fast forward two years, Rockstar unveiled a second trailer for GTA 6, showcasing some changes. Notably, the same Black character appeared again, this time sporting a red hat, lighter sunglasses, a small mustache, and braided hair. However, he still wore a white tank top and the same gold chains, prominently featuring a horned animal motif.

Rockstar has not publicly addressed whether this character is intended to be the same or if the modifications stemmed from the TikToker’s allegations. Yet, a Twitter post about this has garnered over 13 million views in just a few days, leading fans to speculate that Rockstar altered the character due to the TikToker’s comments.

While these incidents could be interconnected, it’s essential to recognize that video game development is a constantly evolving process influenced by various factors. For instance