Does R* make games beforehand in the same area

[gsbadreligion]

I noticed that Midnight Club LA did come out long before GTA V was even released, some may say its just a coincidence but doesn't it make sense to do a little research on a game area before you make the biggest game in years? Red Dead Redemption was in Texas and Mexico and Max Payne 3 was in Sao Paulo Brazil(would be sick for GTA VI just saying). Vice City would be the "obvious" next step but honestly they'd have to add something because vice city isn't huge but if they added....say cuba then it would be sick. Im just saying is R*'s current projects could very well show where the future of gta is going. LA Noire was set in LA as well, it makes sense to get familiar with a certain area if you plan to make another game in the same place.