The Concept Creators' Lounge

[psychedtfout]

I’ve been curating a little imaginative content for my concept that would be included in its introduction. I want to give a feel of what GTA VI’s marketing can be in my eyes, i’ll most likely include Rockstar Newsire articles that have info in it and Screens of course. Thinking about some artworks and concept promotional marketing that would take place in the real world.

 

As of now i’m in need of guidance/assistance writing the Story section included in the Newswire. Here it is below

 

These are also the Screens that I will include, beware they are AI generated (you may have seen some of these floating around online, that’s where I got them) but i digress

 

Genuinely let me know what you guys think!

 

[Guest]

10 hours ago, psychedtfout said:

Genuinely let me know what you guys think!

I know those screenshots are credited to AI, but damn they looked legit. After thousands of prompts, AI has learned how to generate perfect GTA VI screenshots 

 

Cool idea. You can even go further by exclusively using marketing materials to present the concept. Fanmade newswire articles, IGN previews (someone did this before), interviews, game reviews, and so on. Up to you, though.

[CrumMunchers]

11 hours ago, psychedtfout said:

Genuinely let me know what you guys think!

Interesting idea, there was a thread for something like this a couple years ago:

 

If you wanna use this for inspo you definitely could, as Wise suggested above as well, using marketing materials for presenting the concept

 

32 minutes ago, One of Wisemen said:

Fanmade newswire articles, IGN previews (someone did this before), interviews, game reviews, and so on. Up to you, though.

Might maybe add something like this as well for le VIsion: the CrumMunchers cut, but we'll see.

 

As for the concept specifically, it's hard at work and there's been a lot of stuff that's been worked on, such as the cool/chaotic meter, which determines how players play the game generally, or the "Empire Building" system that's significantly different from Vice City and Vice City Stories, and way more in line with what we've seen in Online and the businesses.

 

The soundtrack is also coming together. @AlexandriaAT2001, idk how often you're active on here anymore but if you are, do you mind if you could maybe go over what's been created so far and give feedback? Let me know if you are

 

In general, a little update to give is that the concept may be dropped sometime soon. There's still a lot to go over and do, but there's definitely been lots of progress made that can be shifted here and whatnot. There are some sections that need to be worked on such as vehicles, but other than that, it's all coming together afaik, but yeah, that was all lol

[AlexandriaAT2001]

14 hours ago, CrumMunchers said:

The soundtrack is also coming together. @AlexandriaAT2001, idk how often you're active on here anymore but if you are, do you mind if you could maybe go over what's been created so far and give feedback? Let me know if you are

Yes! PM me and I'll do it

[Elitor]

On 10/27/2024 at 3:35 PM, universetwisters said:

If you’re using the Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard as the setting for your concept, there aren’t many Japanese influences other than some fancy Japanese restaurants. There’s those but nothing analogous to a Little Italy or Chinatown neighborhood, though if you wanna add a Little Tokyo or whatever nobody’s gonna stop you 

Hey, i'm still alive (which is strange) I'm going to discard the Diamond Opportun idea, to recycle it to Gta Missonia Haddock 

[Elitor]

https://gtaforums.com/topic/999318-gta-missonia-haddock-iv-engine-game-concept/

[universetwisters]

8 hours ago, Elitor said:

Hey, i'm still alive (which is strange) 

Im glad you’re still with us 

 

8 hours ago, Elitor said:

https://gtaforums.com/topic/999318-gta-missonia-haddock-iv-engine-game-concept/

Not only this is the wrong place to post a concept (you’re supposed to post it here in the gta series chat section) but also I dunno how this is a concept; it’s just a map, a list of weapons, and some funky new age song for the menu (what’s the song btw I fw it)

 

I mean it’s not a bad start I guess? There’s certainly worse concepts out there. There’s def more to add to it though. What’s what and where’s where on the map? Who’s the main characters? What motivates them? What are the missions like and who gives them? Stuff like that yknow 

[AlexandriaAT2001]

Me: "How do I have this protagonist get big on social media despite her becoming a notorious criminal?"

 

Social media weeks later: "Free Luigi!!" "Three D's!" *Drives past Luigi's prison* "Free Luigi!" "I hope Luigi is okay, I want to write to him." *CEO Wanted posters in NYC* *Luigi lookalike contests*

 

How much is Rockstar willing to satirize stuff in their storylines? Their storylines do get comedic often... The satirical commentary wouldn't be about Luigi Mangione specifically, but in general the public's reaction towards people who kill corrupt people.

Edited December 17, 2024 by AlexandriaAT2001

[CrumMunchers]

Quick question: does anyone have an accurate website to see what the correlating car brands in-game are to IRL? Ofc they all won't be exact but having a general idea helps strongly for the vehicles section of le concept under construction

[Guest]

On 12/17/2024 at 5:59 AM, AlexandriaAT2001 said:

Me: "How do I have this protagonist get big on social media despite her becoming a notorious criminal?"

 

Social media weeks later: "Free Luigi!!" "Three D's!" *Drives past Luigi's prison* "Free Luigi!" "I hope Luigi is okay, I want to write to him." *CEO Wanted posters in NYC* *Luigi lookalike contests*

 

How much is Rockstar willing to satirize stuff in their storylines? Their storylines do get comedic often... The satirical commentary wouldn't be about Luigi Mangione specifically, but in general the public's reaction towards people who kill corrupt people.

There's no definite limit really, but I think it's essential to put the crime story first above the satirical commentary. One of reasons GTA V's story falls flat is because it does the opposite, many characters feel more like caricatures than real human being as results.

 

On 12/20/2024 at 8:10 AM, CrumMunchers said:

Quick question: does anyone have an accurate website to see what the correlating car brands in-game are to IRL? Ofc they all won't be exact but having a general idea helps strongly for the vehicles section of le concept under construction

https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Vehicle_Brands

Edited December 21, 2024 by One of Wisemen

[thechainpuller91]

Due to some difficulties I've had with my superhero gta concept, such as designing characters, the idea of having to draw whole costume designs for the superheros and villains that the concept would feature, as well difficulty trying to properly implement superpowers into my concept without making conventional weapons and vehicles obsolete, I've decided to scrap this idea in favor of something that would be more manageable. 

 

There are several ideas I've had come to mind that follow the traditional gta mold much more but nevertheless still have their own unique selling points. The names of these concepts in bold text are only placeholders until I can figure some better sounding names for them.

 

Grand theft auto: project RPG

A concept that fully embraces grand theft auto's role playing elements. The game would be something like fallout and other immersive RPGs of that type, but in a gta style urban crime setting.

 

Taking inspiration from some of the contents of recently leaked design documents for an online gta game from back in 2001 as well some features of @Tyla and @The Coconut Kid's LC78 and Vice City concepts, the concept would feature a fully customizable protagonist, specialized skill systems, deep empire building mechanics, a faction system, and a gameplay loop that would be a mix of action, roleplaying, and character building.

 

The map wouldn't be based on any single place in particular and would instead opt to mold from the traits and DNA of all the locations gta has been set in. 

 

Grand theft auto: depression era

this concept would take place in a fictional gta stand in for Chicago sometime in the middle of the prohibition and depression eras of the 20s and 30s. Many people say that this is too old of a time period for gta but I disagree. Similar to the upcoming game, Mafia: the old country, which explores the origins of the mob in 1900s Sicily, this concept could be an exploration of the new fast car driving, machine gun toting gangsters that rose to prominence after the death of the old west. essentially an origin story of the classic gta style underworld if you will.

You would start as a drifting gun for hire who arrives in the city and falls in with a local band of bootleggers and armed robbers and begins robbing banks, and building an enterprise smuggling and selling liquor. As you rise up in the underworld, you work with the Jewish, Italian, black, and Irish mobs as well as a gta universe equivalent of the National crime syndicate and Murder inc.

 

Grand theft auto: Heat and Hazards

this would be a more comedy driven concept that would be somewhat of a spiritual remake and improvement of the saints row reboot. Set in a fictional southwestern city that is an amalgamation of Phoenix, Las Vegas, Albuquerque etc, the story would follow a group of privileged loser college kids acting like wannabe gangsters who navigate the local underworld and build a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong. 

As earlier stated, this concept would borrow the premise of the saints row reboot, but would seek to improve it by giving real comedic value through changes such as, the main characters being much more incompetent early in the game and alot of their plans going sideways, improving dialogue, and cutting the cringey humor of the source material. This concepts main inspirations for tone and premise would be movies and shows with very comedic elements such as Barry, Breaking Bad, Pain & Gain (2013), and Kid Cannabis (2014).

 

Grand theft auto: anywhere city 

I've also wanted to do a concept about anywhere city because aside from that one concept LowTierDude did years ago, I haven't seen any concepts about anywhere city done on here. If I do an anywhere city concept, I want it to have a big RPG feel to it. I also played the newer wolfenstein games by machinegames recently and I want the concept to have a very retro futuristic feel similar to that. I would also take some influence from LowTierDude's anywhere city concept in regards to the system it had where the player chooses different playstyles like anarchy, ambition, etc.

Edited December 30, 2024 by thechainpuller91

[Guest]

On 12/27/2024 at 5:10 AM, thechainpuller91 said:

Grand theft auto: depression era

Sound pretty cool. I remember LowTierDude used to have a 30s Chicago DLC idea years ago.

 

You better watch the very original Scarface.

[psychedtfout]

I’ve made this for Jason. Don’t know how good it looks but making A Deep Dive for Lucia too. 

[universetwisters]

I know it’s prob unlikely but, relative to the modding x concepts crossover, if anyone wants to do anything in London, I got this dumb thing ported into Sandy Andy for yall

 

 

[HOW'S ANNIE?]

Now that we have new information from the design documents about GTA Advance, I'm thinking of doing a GTA Advance: 3D concept. Basically I'll be combining story elements of the released game, with the original plot outline and gameplay elements from the development stage. I've always dreamed of a better version of GTA Advance that fits easier into the continuity of III and LCS.

 

Mike and Vinnie will keep their final names (as opposed to Ned and Reg), with Vinnie still faking his death like the final game. But I'll keep the branching story the leads you across the whole map fairly early in the game. I'm not sure exactly what else I'll keep from both versions, and what I'll cut. Just an idea to toss out.

Edited January 4 by HOW'S ANNIE?

[Abel Corleone]

On 12/27/2024 at 6:10 AM, thechainpuller91 said:

Grand theft auto: depression era

this concept would take place in a fictional gta stand in for Chicago sometime in the middle of the prohibition and depression eras of the 20s and 30s. Many people say that this is too old of a time period for gta but I disagree. Similar to the upcoming game, Mafia: the old country, which explores the origins of the mob in 1900s Sicily, this concept could be an exploration of the new fast car driving, machine gun toting gangsters that rose to prominence after the death of the old west. essentially an origin story of the classic gta style underworld if you will.

You would start as a drifting gun for hire who arrives in the city and falls in with a local band of bootleggers and armed robbers and begins robbing banks, and building an enterprise smuggling and selling liquor. As you rise up in the underworld, you work with the Jewish, Italian, black, and Irish mobs as well as a gta universe equivalent of the National crime syndicate and Murder inc.

 

I love this one.

 

Besides @One of Wisemen's suggestion of the original Scarface, I suggest checking out Boardwalk Empire too. 

[CrumMunchers]

It's been a minute since I've been here, but if anyone is interested, the prologue for the concept's story has officially been posted in the concept thread if anyone would like to read it. More will follow in due time, but figured posting this first would help anyone who's bored or interested.

 

Feedback and everyone's thoughts are always welcome!

 

 

[Itchy623]

Been thinking of making my own ideas for a GTA concept, yet I’m not sure exactly which one would be better or so.
 

I’ll just go and say what I have in mind thus far

 

1. GTA: Carcer City

2. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 2 

3. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 1

4. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA: London

5. GTA 5 Rewrite

6. Something GTA-4 Related

Edited January 19 by Itchy623

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, Itchy623 said:

Been thinking of making my own ideas for a GTA concept, yet I’m not sure exactly which one would be better or so.
 

I’ll just go and say what I have in mind thus far

 

1. GTA: Carcer City

2. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 2 

3. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 1

4. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA: London

5. GTA 5 Rewrite

6. Something GTA-4 Related

Well, to start off, which one you're most passionate about? and have you already imagined the basic synopsis of one of those concept ideas?

[fartingrats]

4 hours ago, Itchy623 said:

Been thinking of making my own ideas for a GTA concept, yet I’m not sure exactly which one would be better or so.
 

I’ll just go and say what I have in mind thus far

 

1. GTA: Carcer City

2. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 2 

3. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 1

4. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA: London

5. GTA 5 Rewrite

6. Something GTA-4 Related

A GTA 5 Rewrite is the most interesting IMO

[thechainpuller91]

On 1/19/2025 at 4:49 AM, Itchy623 said:

Been thinking of making my own ideas for a GTA concept, yet I’m not sure exactly which one would be better or so.
 

I’ll just go and say what I have in mind thus far

 

1. GTA: Carcer City

2. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 2 

3. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA 1

4. A 3D/HD Rendition of GTA: London

5. GTA 5 Rewrite

6. Something GTA-4 Related

The most interesting one to me would probably be the gta 2 remake, because there's only like, one concept set in anywhere city on this whole forum. By far the most interesting ideas to me are the 3D/HD remakes of the classic 2D games.

Gta 5 remake also sounds really interesting too tho.

Edited January 20 by thechainpuller91

[Itchy623]

On 1/19/2025 at 8:43 AM, One of Wisemen said:

Well, to start off, which one you're most passionate about? and have you already imagined the basic synopsis of one of those concept ideas?

I have thought of some basis synopsis for each one of them, but I’d say the one I’m most focused onto and written the most ideas for, out of each of the projects, is probably my GTA 5 rewrite.

 

Although, I do want to try and get into some of the other ones, like Carcer City and Anywhere City (sorta based on LowTierDude’s discontinued project), but I guess one at a time of sorts lol

Edited January 21 by Itchy623

[CrumMunchers]

40 minutes ago, Itchy623 said:

I have thought of some basis synopsis for each one of them, but I’d say the one I’m most focused onto and written the most ideas for, out of each of the projects, is probably my GTA 5 rewrite.

 

Although, I do want to try and get into some of the other ones, like Carcer City and Anywhere City (sorta based on LowTierDude’s discontinued project), but I guess one at a time of sorts lol

 

Interesting pick, that was something that I was also thinking about exploring after the VI concept, except this time, it would be focusing solely on the father/son or mentor/mentee dynamic that V could've done more with when exploring Michael and Franklin's relationship. The setting would also be entirely different, going from the sunset backdrop of LA in 2013, to a more gritter setting of a modern-day Chicago, set in a snowy backdrop of the holidays.

 

Nonetheless, very intriguing choice, and we will all be seated

[RedBaron.]

8 minutes ago, CrumMunchers said:

 

Interesting pick, that was something that I was also thinking about exploring after the VI concept, except this time, it would be focusing solely on the father/son or mentor/mentee dynamic that V could've done more with when exploring Michael and Franklin's relationship. The setting would also be entirely different, going from the sunset backdrop of LA in 2013, to a more gritter setting of a modern-day Chicago, set in a snowy backdrop of the holidays.

 

Nonetheless, very intriguing choice, and we will all be seated

Honestly, a GTA game set in fictional Chicago would've been perfect (if R* wasn't addicted to New York, Miami and California setting rehashes), i'm interested in this concept. Keep us posted.

[Itchy623]

48 minutes ago, CrumMunchers said:

 

Interesting pick, that was something that I was also thinking about exploring after the VI concept, except this time, it would be focusing solely on the father/son or mentor/mentee dynamic that V could've done more with when exploring Michael and Franklin's relationship. The setting would also be entirely different, going from the sunset backdrop of LA in 2013, to a more gritter setting of a modern-day Chicago, set in a snowy backdrop of the holidays.

 

Nonetheless, very intriguing choice, and we will all be seated

That’s honestly not a bad idea, as the mentor/mentee and/or father/son dynamic would be cool with Michael & Franklin, and I like the idea of it being in Chicago (reminds me of the idea that LowTierDude had). I wouldn’t mind seeing that one day.

 

The idea I have for my GTA 5 rewrite is more so the same setup, but with a much more complex and realistic criminal-drama overhaul to it, akin to GTA 4 and all, while still being in Los Santos, but with three new playable characters and having the influence be something akin to Breaking Bad. I’m glad you’re all interested into reading and seeing what I do with this too, as I do have a lot of ideas and concepts for it lol

Edited January 21 by Itchy623

[CrumMunchers]

2 hours ago, RedBaron. said:

Honestly, a GTA game set in fictional Chicago would've been perfect (if R* wasn't addicted to New York, Miami and California setting rehashes), i'm interested in this concept. Keep us posted.

Will do, still need to finish my current one lol, but the rough idea is that the story is a much more grounded take on V's narrative, stripping away stuff like Merryweather and the whole government wetwork aspect, and instead making it a much more serious story this go-around. Don't think it'll be set in modern day either, might set it in 2016~ish as well.

 

1 hour ago, Itchy623 said:

The idea I have for my GTA 5 rewrite is more so the same setup, but with a much more complex and realistic criminal-drama overhaul to it, akin to GTA 4 and all, while still being in Los Santos, but with three new playable characters and having the influence be something akin to Breaking Bad. I’m glad you’re all interested into reading and seeing what I do with this too, as I do have a lot of ideas and concepts for it lol

 

Vince Gilligan originally wanted BB to be set in California, before he changed the location to New Mexico instead, so there's definitely different avenues you can approach to this for sure. I don't know if you'll be doing this, but if you are using V's map as the basis for the rewrite, you automatically have a bit of a world you could definitely work with, maybe even play around with as well in game to simulate certain mission ideas or testing out certain things as well. Also curious - are there any major changes or overhauls you might do like adding an entirely new heist(s), or altering the path for another? Could be a great way to change things up for readers as well.

 

All in all though, many interesting ideas you could explore if you'd like for sure

 

Also have a couple more ideas that've been floating around for a while as well, but I'm debating on which one to focus more on.

 

• Another concept idea I've been thinking about is doing a period piece story set in the HD Universe, but before the events of GTA IV. 
  
  Set sometime in the mid-2000s (2005?), this would be heavily inspired by the Rush Hour films, specifically the first and second. It would follow a buddy-cop~esque story between two criminals who come from different walks of life/culture ala Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan's characters did in the first film. As for the setting, was thinking of maybe doing 1 1/2 states if that makes sense: Northern San Andreas w/ San Fierro and a fictional state inspired by Nevada, with a prime focus on Las Venturas as well.
   
• Lastly, the third one was a concept that would solely be set in a parody of the state of Nevada, with Las Venturas serving as the prime location. No clue on what kind of story to develop there though, so that's that.

 

Also, if anyone's interested - Chapter 1 for the VI concept is being worked on right now. It's like 12 missions IIRC, so hopefully it all gets written and posted accordingly. The prologue has already been written if anyone would like to read it. Getting the hang of it, so hopefully the quality only goes up from here . 

Feedback is also always welcome! Let me know if you'd like to give feedback or anything along those lines

[Itchy623]

On 1/21/2025 at 6:19 PM, CrumMunchers said:

Will do, still need to finish my current one lol, but the rough idea is that the story is a much more grounded take on V's narrative, stripping away stuff like Merryweather and the whole government wetwork aspect, and instead making it a much more serious story this go-around. Don't think it'll be set in modern day either, might set it in 2016~ish as well.

 

 

Vince Gilligan originally wanted BB to be set in California, before he changed the location to New Mexico instead, so there's definitely different avenues you can approach to this for sure. I don't know if you'll be doing this, but if you are using V's map as the basis for the rewrite, you automatically have a bit of a world you could definitely work with, maybe even play around with as well in game to simulate certain mission ideas or testing out certain things as well. Also curious - are there any major changes or overhauls you might do like adding an entirely new heist(s), or altering the path for another? Could be a great way to change things up for readers as well.

 

All in all though, many interesting ideas you could explore if you'd like for sure

 

Also have a couple more ideas that've been floating around for a while as well, but I'm debating on which one to focus more on.

 

• Another concept idea I've been thinking about is doing a period piece story set in the HD Universe, but before the events of GTA IV. 
  
  Set sometime in the mid-2000s (2005?), this would be heavily inspired by the Rush Hour films, specifically the first and second. It would follow a buddy-cop~esque story between two criminals who come from different walks of life/culture ala Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan's characters did in the first film. As for the setting, was thinking of maybe doing 1 1/2 states if that makes sense: Northern San Andreas w/ San Fierro and a fictional state inspired by Nevada, with a prime focus on Las Venturas as well.
   
• Lastly, the third one was a concept that would solely be set in a parody of the state of Nevada, with Las Venturas serving as the prime location. No clue on what kind of story to develop there though, so that's that.

 

Also, if anyone's interested - Chapter 1 for the VI concept is being worked on right now. It's like 12 missions IIRC, so hopefully it all gets written and posted accordingly. The prologue has already been written if anyone would like to read it. Getting the hang of it, so hopefully the quality only goes up from here . 

Feedback is also always welcome! Let me know if you'd like to give feedback or anything along those lines

I gotcha, that is a good idea, as I do also want to try and make GTA 5 be much more grounded in tone as well, and not as ridiculous as it was in the original lol. However, I do have plans for the Merryweather and the Government stuff being kept in, but not have it where you’re just basically doing their wetwork as puppets every single time (more so taking notes from Tenpenny and his stuff from GTA SA)

 

I actually did not know that fact about Breaking Bad, that is honestly a funny coincidence lol. I do already have ideas for the map being a bit more bigger, since GTA 5’s map was rather “small”, compared to the original San Andreas, as I was thinking of taking inspiration from this fan made picture (made by avatar-sd in DeviantArt), and yes, I do intend on making some overhauls and allowing more creative freedom in adding new features and alternative paths to the old heists, as well as new and scrapped ones into this fold. 
 

Also, I really like the idea and concepts you have, which funny enough, that first one is something that I was thinking for the GTA-4 related concept I had floating through in mind lol

 

I’ll definitely read through some of the GTA VI mission works you’ve made for your VI concept, by the way.

 

Edited February 14 by Itchy623

[Guest]

14 hours ago, Itchy623 said:

I gotcha, that is a good idea, as I do also want to try and make GTA 5 be much more grounded in tone as well, and not as ridiculous as it was in the original lol. However, I do have plans for the Merryweather and the Government stuff being kept in, but not have it where you’re just basically doing their wetwork as puppets every single time (more so taking notes from Tenpenny and his stuff from GTA SA)

Flawed-writing aside, GTA V has a solid foundation even if you keep the Prologue unharmed. That's the strength of GTA V's story, many paths to go. If you use that expansive map, just saying, you can spread the protagonists to different cities: Michael chilling in San Fierro, Trevor rampaging the Bone County desert, and Franklin gangbanging in Los Santos.

[Itchy623]

2 minutes ago, One of Wisemen said:

Flawed-writing aside, GTA V has a solid foundation even if you keep the Prologue unharmed. That's the strength of GTA V's story, many paths to go. If you use that expansive map, just saying, you can spread the protagonists to different cities: Michael chilling in San Fierro, Trevor rampaging the Bone County desert, and Franklin gangbanging in Los Santos.

Oh yeah, I definitely thought of keeping the Prologue or so, but with a few changes to it on how this will go. That is true and is one of the pros that V did had, I will say, and having the protagonists being in the other cities or so would be very unique.

 

I did thought of actually having three different main characters to be the protagonists, though, but I will keep Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, as well as other old characters in here but changed around to be more than just caricatures as they were in the original. Including the addition of newer characters being in this.

[Guest]

12 hours ago, Itchy623 said:

I did thought of actually having three different main characters to be the protagonists, though, but I will keep Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, as well as other old characters in here but changed around to be more than just caricatures as they were in the original. Including the addition of newer characters being in this.

That would be an interesting twist too. I know that the idea is still prematurely developed, but IMO it's best to already imagine what kind of style you'd go for the story: same as EFLC with three different stories interwining at different points or same as GTA V where the three protagonists eventually stick together? From there you can expand the side characters and the narratives, sketching how the main characters first meet and what brought them together shall you make them an A-team.

 

Don't forget about ton of underused GTA V characters that you can elevate. Martin Madrazo, Stretch, and Wei Cheng are the usual mentions; but the supporting cast, internet users, and totally unseen faces deserve the attention too. Like I want to know how deep the heist crew members' backstory could've been if they were written better.

 

I think that no matter how impractical GTA V's heists turns out, they are the main appeal of that game. They're a homage to typical robbery scenes we often see in Hollywood action blockbusters. Asuming that you would go to that direction too, don't be afraid to go outside the realism boundary once in awhile. Don't make all heists a copy of Heat (jk, I trust you). While you don't look up at Michael Bay, be inspired by other semi-realistic classics like Thief, Ocean's Eleven, and The Italian Job.