Richman (HD Universe)

“Not a lot happens in Richman aside from out-of-touch billionaires hiding behind high walls, too terrified to leave their mega-mansions for fear of having to interact with the common man.”

— GTAV digital manual

Richman is a neighborhood located in Los Santos, featured in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.

Description

Also referred to as Richman Hills on Karl Kelly's Lifeinvader profile, Richman is bordered by Vinewood Hills to the north, Rockford Hills to the east, Morningwood to the south, and Pacific Bluffs to the west. Richman, like the neighboring Rockford Hills, is known as being one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in all of Los Santos. It contains many large classic-style mansions, such as one based on the Playboy Mansion. Sports cars, high-end clothing, and the occasional limousine transporting a wealthy person are seen frequently.

Richman is mostly a residential area, which explains the lack of businesses. The residents live in fine mansions well-suited to their lifestyle. It is said that Vinewood celebrities come here for the golf course and are even living here. The Los Santos Country Club is the only golf course in the entire city, making it a popular recreation area.

Most of Richman consists of the country club. To the north and northeast, there are luxurious mansions sold by famous realtor companies like Lenny Avery. To the northwest, there is a large mansion that stands out amongst the others, based on the Playboy Mansion. People can be seen partying in the Playboy Mansion's swimming pool along with some topless women.

Events of Grand Theft Auto V

Michael, Franklin or Trevor can drive Castro Lagano to the Los Santos Country Club after his falling out with his wife. Later, Michael, Franklin and Trevor are able to play a round of Golf with Castro.

Events of Grand Theft Auto Online

At some point in 2021, Ben Brooks got hold of a copy of Dr. Dre's unreleased songs through WesLos Records executive producer Johnny Guns, and planned to set up a gathering at his mansion to do a world premiere and put it up for auction as an NFT. Soon after, the GTA Online Protagonist stole Ben Brooks' lawyer's car and the access code to get through the mansion gates undetected and crash his party. Ben Brooks sends his private military security to kill the protagonist while he tries to escape on his Swift Deluxe, but is killed by the protagonist shortly after.

Influence

The neighborhood is likely based on Bel Air and Holmby Hills. The name is likely an homage to the district of Richman in the City of San Andreas in the original Grand Theft Auto and Richman in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which was also based on Bel Air. The name in all three universes is likely a reference to the wealthy population of the district.

In Grand Theft Auto Online, many of the police vehicles added with The Chop Shop, Bottom Dollar Bounties, and Agents of Sabotage updates featured liveries for specific neighborhoods of Los Santos, including Richman. The Richman liveries are likely based on the livery sported by the Bel Air, Maryland Police Department as opposed to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air. This is likely a developer oversight.