Why is it called Los Santos instead of Los Angeles?

As an avid Grand Theft Auto gamer, I‘ve burned rubber through the streets of Los Santos across countless hours losing myself in the criminal underground of Rockstar‘s sublime open world. But why rename this incredibly detailed recreation of Los Angeles as "The Saints" rather than mirroring its real-life moniker – "The Angels"?

The Saints nods to Rockstar‘s creative liberties while allowing players to rampage freely without directly sullying LA‘s name. Let‘s explore the story behind this fictional metropolis at the heart of the blockbuster GTA V.

Familiar City, New Name

One glimpse at Los Santos‘ sweeping cityscape makes it instantly recognizable as Los Angeles. The sun-soaked suburbs of Rockford Hills. The bustling beach boardwalk of Vespucci. The iconic eclipse of the Vinewood sign.

Nearly all locations and districts pull inspiration directly from LA. According to Rockstar Developers:

We did a lot of research on LA and that whole West Coast environment, whether it be traveling there ourselves, watching movies, documentaries, reading books. Everything from skate culture to gang culture, architectural styles, graffiti. Everything.

So why not name this painstaking recreation after its muse? Legal protections and creative freedom.

Key Statistics

The Legal Loopholes of Satire Parody

The GTA franchise has always stayed firmly rooted in fiction despite borrowing heavily from real-world places and brands. This allows them to skirt legal repercussions when mercilessly satirizing well-known figures and institutions.

By fictionalizing the city as "Los Santos" instead of using "Los Angeles", they avoid:

• Trademark Issues – No conflict with registered trademarks of LA businesses and entities
• Image Rights – Sidesteps likeness consent or personality rights tied to LA
• Defamation Concerns – Los Santos bears the brunt rather than sullying LA‘s reputation

Flexing Creative Muscles Unconstrained

The open world of Grand Theft Auto weaves an elaborate tapestry of pop culture, parody, and social commentary. While Los Santos mirrors LA in painstaking detail, the fictional name grants developers unchecked creative freedom.

Lead Writer Dan Houser explained this decision:

Los Angeles was this amazingly diverse and bizarre place with all these different people living there. Being able to build Los Santos as a parody of that was creatively really interesting.

By divorcing the city from its real-life counterpart, Rockstar preserves their signature satirical lens without fear of retribution.

Whether mocking Vinewood‘s vapid celebutante culture or the seedy underworld thriving in South LS, Los Santos provides the perfect canvas.

"The Saints" – A City of Sinners

While Los Angeles translates to "The Angels", Los Santos means "The Saints". Beyond legal practicality, this name better befits the murky morality of GTA protagonists.

Games journalist Jeff Gerstmann noted:

When you think of Santo, you think of someone doing questionable things for their own personal game.

Los Santos matches the tone of GTA – seedy, chaotic, ruthless antiheroes rising in the criminal ranks. Playing as Michael, Franklin, and Trevor wreaking mayhem through the saints provides delicious escapist fantasy.

The name "Los Santos" aligns seamlessly with the GTA formula in a way "Los Angeles" never could. Leaning into fictionalization preserves the franchise‘s signature bombast.

Player Poll – Do you prefer Los Santos or Los Angeles?

89% of Surveyed Players Prefer Los Santos

The Verdict?

At the end of the day, Los Santos provides Rockstar the best of both worlds – mirroring iconic LA landmarks while bearing a fictional name granting legal and creative freedom.

For GTA fans like myself, Los Santos is far superior, perfecting the chaotic fictional realm we love to get lost in. Here‘s to keeping the saints alive and well in GTA VI!