Now this is just my opinion but it does make sense. These are my reason why GTA isn't leaving the USA.

London

- it is an awful city

- so many changes would have to be made to make it suitable for GTA it wouldnt even be london anymore

- the media/goverment would kick up a huge backlash if it was set in the capital, this can be avoided with a fictional city

- a lot of americans/europeans dislike english accents (such as cockney accents)

- the Getaway series is set in london (and apparently has a new iteration coming out)

Europe/Tokyo

- Rockstar North (who develop the main titles), no offence intended, probaly have a limited understanding regarding european/japanese culture (and american culture is a huge part of GTA and its appeal) when compared to their understanding of american culture.

- the satrizing and lampooning of american culture, and indeed american culture itself provides the basis for modern GTA and is intergral to the humour and feel of the games. As ridiuclous as GTA is, there is still some realness to it. Can you imagine CJ in Paris, or AmmuNation's in Tokyo or Vercetti in London.

- the american audience are responsible for a large part of the sales, moving it outside the USA would risk alienating them and wrecking the sales and revenue of the game as well as damaging its reputation and jeopodysing the future of the series

- again, setting it in real world location is just asking for trouble, espcially now Germany has that violent game ban.

San Andreas

- it was such a large and immensly filled world that last gen consoles struggled to cope. I'm guessing this gen's would (presuming san andreas is given a gta4 makeover) and Rockstar would want another game under thier belt first to see how far they can push and further refine the game engine etc

- I highly doubt San Andreas, of the GTAIV era would fit onto one DVD disc. I don't see Sony paying for exclusivity so it makes sense to wait until the ps3 has a big enough user base it can be launched on their only. Perhaps waiting even till the 360's successor is out in case that uses Blu-Ray, or HD-DVD or whatever. All this is still at least 2 years away and I doubt rockstar will wait that long for another GTA. Take-two won't as if rockstar move away from them at end of contract (which is in 2011) they'll want some GTA monies to cling onto.

Summary

So there are my reasons why GTA will not be In San Andreas, London, Tokyo or Europe. I used common sense in my reasoning and tried to explain as best I could. You reactions please....

Do you know who Rockstar North are?

Very good , i already know for a fact that it will be Set in houston Tx . quote me on this. and Chicago Soon after

So you used common sense to say that London is an awful city? Shit so just because you think London is an awful place, you think everyone else thinks it's an awful place? Also just because one game is set in a specific location, does that prevent other games to be set in that specific location?

And more importantly, how the hell do you know if Rockstar North has no idea about European/Japanese Culture? Shit do you even know where Rockstar North is situated?!!

gta should be kept american. I really cant imagine it taking place anywhere else, especially London (IMO the getaway was a terrible game).

Liberty City is out because GTA IV was set there. So the only option is Vice City.
GTA 5 will be set in Vice City - FTW.

GTA: Vice City is arguably the best GTA game so far.

@ numonex - tis a dam fine game indeed, it had a great setting and lead character that are unmatched to this day in my humble opinion.

@Cross-X - I have been too London many times, stayed there on a few occasions and have relatives and friends living there, they all hate it there, I have hated it everytime I've been there. There are one or two decent places left but on the whole, when over two dozen people who have lived and worked there extensively say it's shit I'm inclined to believe them. I also see you are Australian so I can understand that you wouldn't understand that most English people dislike London. Most people outside of England are unaware of how god-awful London is. Also, well done for picking one point, making an unnecessary fuss over it and virtually ignoring the point of the thread. Bravo. And well done for making me have to type this response out. Oh and Rockstar North are situated in Scotland.

most of the uk has a limited understanding of European culture, most people dont understand japanese culture at all, its so unique and so little seen in the mainstream of the uk. shame really. i fail to see why rockstar north, based in scotland (and the scots have always been a proud and independent people) would be any different to uk in general. and i never said they have zero understanding of it either. just limited when compared to their knowledge of american culture

I looked at your profile pic and i lied you. I read your post and now not so much.

I think GTA set in London would be the perfect way to go next. All the urban areas and the gang culture. I would be perfect