"Grand Theft Auto" revives Miami's decades-old "Vice" debate

The 1980s TV show "Miami Vice" is credited with helping "save South Beach," but at the time, some civic leaders were worried the cop show would publicize Miami's crime problems.

Why it matters: "Grand Theft Auto VI," an upcoming video game set in a fictionalized Miami called Vice City, is reviving the old debate about whether to embrace the city's gritty media portrayal.

Driving the news: The company behind "GTA" wants to market the game across Miami-Dade County but has faced pushback from police leaders and some politicians who say local governments should not associate with a violent game that encourages players to kill cops.

Despite the criticism, commissioners in Miami and Miami Beach have supported plans to advertise the video game on private buildings and public beaches, respectively.

Supporters argue that it makes sense to profit from the game's popularity without endorsing its content.

Miami could receive $1 million, one commissioner says. Miami Beach could get up to $4 million, according to Miami New Times.

Miami-Dade County has also been in talks with the video game maker about marketing "GTA" at county properties like Miami International Airport.

Yes, but: The city of Miami asked "GTA" to remove "Vice City" from its advertising banners, a nickname city leaders said they dislike.

Meanwhile, a giant "Vice City" sign is proposed for the roof of the county-owned Kaseya Center, journalist Francisco Alvarado reports. The Miami Heat, who play at the arena, famously have "Vice" jerseys.

Flashback: A similar controversy played out when "Miami Vice" began production.

Concerned elected leaders asked producer Michael Mann to remove "vice" from the title, the Miami Herald reported.

"Miami Vice" starred two undercover cops, rather than two criminals, as in "Grand Theft Auto." Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

What they're saying: In the '80s, the city was grappling with the Mariel boatlift, the McDuffie riots, contract killings and rogue police — "the worst of times," as Miami historian Paul George described it to Axios.

Leaders were afraid "Vice" would glamorize the "bad things," George says.

"As it turns out, it glamorized the whole area. I think it gave people some sort of weird sense of pride in the place."

The show drove tourism to Miami Beach and shone an international spotlight on South Beach's historic Art Deco District, the Miami River and neighborhoods like Little Havana, the Herald reported.

What they're saying: George says he understands the police criticism against Miami's involvement with "GTA," especially if the game depicts the city in a more cartoonish light than "Miami Vice."

"I think what it's gonna do is draw additional attention to Miami," he said. "The big question is, negative or positive? In the hands of young people, it's probably going to be positive."