Did Rockstar change GTA 6 character? Viral rumors discussed

GTA fans have been talking about a character in GTA 6 who, according to a social media user, looks a lot like him. This person has claimed that Rockstar Games used his face without asking, and is now asking for payment. The claim has opened up online conversations and led to various opinions.

"GTA fans suspect Rockstar changed a character after a look-alike requested payment for his ‘likeness,’" an X post read.

Rockstar has dealt with this kind of issue before. There was another case involving someone called the "Florida Joker," who also accused them of copying his image in the game without permission. Both cases involve people thinking Rockstar copied their unique looks to create characters for the game.

Rockstar's character update in GTA 6 sparks debate among fans

Right now, fan pages and YouTube channels like GTA 6 Countdown have noticed some big visual differences in a character from the Grand Theft Auto trailers released in 2023 and 2025, according to Marca. In the first trailer, the character had long dreadlocks, was wearing glasses, and had a streetwear vibe. In the newer trailer, while the clothes and accessories match, the hairstyle has changed, and the glasses are not the same anymore.

Fans have been speculating about these changes. Some think the decisions were made as a cautious legal response to the controversy. Even though the individual raised complaints, most of the community has brushed them off as baseless. Many say the character’s appearance — white tank tops, gold chains, and dreadlocks — is too basic to be claimed as a unique identity.

This view lines up with common industry disclaimers, which say any likeness to real people is accidental. Such disclaimers often appear in entertainment, including video games, and help shield developers from legal trouble over character designs.

Even so, Rockstar’s choice to change the character’s look has sparked two very different opinions. Some think it’s just a usual update or redesign, which can often happen during long-game development. Others suspect the change was made to steer clear of legal trouble or avoid online backlash, since the issue got so much attention on the internet.

No matter why Rockstar made this move, the situation shows how tricky it is for game makers to balance creative expression with real-world similarities in today’s connected society.

All you need to know about GTA 6

Grand Theft Auto VI is an upcoming action-adventure video game made by Rockstar Games. Overall the 16th game of the franchise, this is the eighth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series.

The game takes place in Leonida, a large open world that is actually a fictional state in the U.S. inspired by Florida. One of the main cities, Vice City, is based on Miami.

The story focuses on two main characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, who are involved in criminal activities and work together as a team.

With hype for GTA 6 growing stronger, this debate is a good example of the challenges that pop up when the line between fiction and reality gets blurry—whether on purpose or not.

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