Rob Nelson, co-head of North Studio and development lead for GTA VI, stated that future Grand Theft Auto titles could potentially move their setting outside the United States. However, he emphasized that there is still ample material to explore within the US, and the team currently sees no reason to abandon this direction.
When asked if the series might leave the US in the future, Nelson replied, "Never say never." He also noted that many developers live outside the US, providing an external perspective that helps the team critically examine their portrayal of America, as no single individual can personally experience all the social aspects depicted in the games.
The Grand Theft Auto series has long drawn inspiration from American cities, with Liberty City, Vice City, and Los Santos based on New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, respectively. The series has also ventured beyond the US, as seen in early expansion packs Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1961, both set in London, UK.
Nelson also revealed that field research for GTA VI began in Miami in 2015. Developers explored various regions of Florida to shape the fictional state of Leonida and Vice City. Currently, this response only addresses long-term possibilities for the series; Rockstar Games has not announced any titles beyond GTA VI, nor confirmed that the next installment will be set in another country.