A historic partnership, when the Heat as Vice City host a never-been-done-before event on the eve of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Anticipation is ramping up as the November 16 release date for Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI gets closer. Several companies have gotten on board to celebrate the release of Rockstar Games’ most anticipated release, including Netflix and, most recently, the Miami Heat. “For one night only, the HEAT trade Miami for Vice City” reads a post on the NBA team’s official Instagram account. This collaboration will include Vice City themed uniforms, new signage for the November 18 game, and exclusive fan merchandise.
Since the release of the first Grand Theft Auto title in 1997, the city of Miami, Florida has played a central part in Vice City’s design. Several Miami landmarks have been adapted into various in-game versions of Vice City, including the Clevelander Hotel as the Ocean View Hotel, The E11even Nightclub as Club 919, and the Loews Miami Beach Hotel as a massive resort.
Additionally, the culture surrounding Vice City and the GTA franchise as a whole is heavily influenced by the 1980s live action TV series Miami Vice. In this show, “Miami detective Sonny Crockett reluctantly teams with New York City cop Rico Tubbs when both of them end up pursuing a drug dealer who killed their respective partners.” Vice City takes the concept of crime posed here, alongside the pastel pink and blue aesthetic, and adapts it into the GTA universe.
Given this context, it makes sense that an NBA team from Florida would be a top consideration for a video game and sports crossover. Both Rockstar Games and the Miami Heat have been quiet about what uniforms may look like, or if GTA fans will receive any other updates at the upcoming game. The publicity team encourages fans to “look for more details to come, including special activities starting on Opening Night inside Kaseya Center and unique game night activations on November 18.”