The developers of Grand Theft Auto 6 have taken a cautious approach to using current trends and internet culture in the game, knowing that development can stretch across several years.
Rockstar Games’ senior vice president of narrative, Rupert Humphries, explained that the team has to consider how long a cultural trend will remain relevant by the time the game launches. According to Humphries, the developers tried not to simply follow trends that might disappear within months.
Instead, the team focused on creating its own exaggerated interpretations of contemporary culture. The approach allows GTA 6 to satirise real-world behaviour without relying too heavily on references that could feel outdated when players eventually experience the game.
Humphries noted that the game is developed over many years, making it important for its content to still feel relevant when it reaches players. A trend that dominates social media for a short period may no longer have the same cultural impact by the time development is complete.
This presents a particular challenge for a franchise known for its satire of American society, politics, celebrity culture and internet trends. Rather than directly copying every viral phenomenon, Rockstar appears to be building fictional and exaggerated versions that fit naturally into the game’s world.
The comments also highlight why GTA 6 may avoid becoming a collection of short-lived internet references. While games and television shows can sometimes react quickly to viral trends, a major open-world title requires years of development and planning.
With GTA 6 still one of the most anticipated games in development, Rockstar’s approach suggests its satire will focus more on enduring cultural behaviours than fleeting online fads.

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