GTA 6 adds wild monkeys to a roster of more than 170 animal species

GTA 6 will include wild monkeys. Rockstar Games has confirmed rhesus macaques as one of more than 170 animal species in Leonida, the game’s Florida-inspired state, in a Game Informer cover story. The macaques belong to a group of invasive species that also includes green iguanas, cane toads, and feral cats. They share Leonida with native wildlife such as flamingos, manatees, pelicans, and alligators. Some of the animals are new to Rockstar’s games.

Florida has had a wild rhesus macaque population since the 1930s. The colony in what is now Silver Springs State Park descends from about six monkeys that a glass-bottom boat tour manager released to attract visitors, according to a University of Florida fact sheet. The game’s roster includes about 60 bird species and more than 30 land mammals, along with fish and reptiles. Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar’s 2018 western, has around 200 animal species, according to figures the studio published at its launch.

Rockstar has carried over and extended the animal technology from its Red Dead Redemption games. New hair and fur systems render coats and pelts, and the game supports effects such as iridescence, bioluminescence, translucency, and different feather types.

Players can track certain animals classified as Rare, Discoverable and Legendary. Rockstar has not revealed which species fall into those categories. Other wildlife features include a zoo, dogs that players can pet, and an in-game list that fills up as players observe new species.

Rockstar North co-studio head Aaron Garbut said Leonida is the largest world the studio has built “by some degree.” The cover story also details six map regions and a localized weather system that includes hurricanes. The game arrives on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on 19 November.