The developers at Rockstar North used several techniques to make the small map feel substantial:
As of 2026, Liberty City remains one of the smallest major open worlds in the franchise: Slightly larger at 9.11 km² . GTA 3 Liberty City - Real Life Scale
Roughly 16.14 km² , nearly double the size of the original. The developers at Rockstar North used several techniques
In the original release, heavy fog obscured distant islands, making the world feel like it extended much further than it did. heavy fog obscured distant islands