The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who had crafted a playable version of the Grand Theft Auto 6 map within Grand Theft Auto 5, has halted all development on the project following a takedown notice from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games.
Dark Space had utilized leaked coordinate data and official trailer visuals from GTA 6 to construct his free-to-download mod, which he showcased through gameplay videos on his YouTube channel. These efforts garnered significant attention in January, drawing in eager GTA fans eager to get a taste of the upcoming game ahead of its official release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S later this year.
However, the modder's endeavors were cut short last week when he received a copyright strike notice from YouTube, prompted by a removal request from Take-Two. Facing potential channel termination after multiple strikes, Dark Space preemptively removed all download links to his mod, despite not being directly asked to do so by Take-Two. He aired his grievances in a response video, suggesting that the accuracy of his map recreation might have been too close for comfort for the game's developers.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a more resigned perspective, noting that he anticipated such an action based on Take-Two's history of takedowns. He theorized that his mod's reliance on a community mapping project, which used leaked coordinates to accurately map out the GTA 6 world, might have threatened to spoil the game's surprises for players.
Acknowledging Take-Two's position, Dark Space said, "If you spent years building out this amazing game world just to have some YouTuber spoil the experience of the map's shape, size, and vibe... I'd want it removed too."
With the project now defunct, Dark Space plans to pivot away from GTA 6-related mods for GTA 5, citing the risks involved. Meanwhile, there's growing apprehension within the community that the GTA 6 mapping project might be the next target of Take-Two's legal actions. IGN has reached out to the group for their comments on this matter.
GTA 6 Key Art's Hidden Map..?
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Take-Two's history of enforcing copyright includes the takedown of the YouTube channel for the creators of the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' a mod that brought the world, cutscenes, and missions from the 2002 game into the 2008 GTA 4 engine.
Defending Take-Two's actions, former Rockstar Games technical director Obbe Vermeij took to social media to explain that both Take-Two and Rockstar are merely protecting their commercial interests. He pointed out that mods like the 'VC NextGen Edition' could compete with official releases such as the Definitive Edition, while other projects might interfere with potential future remasters.
While fans await the release of GTA 6, they can delve into IGN's in-depth coverage on various topics, including insights from a former Rockstar developer on potential delays, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's views on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and expert analysis on the capabilities of the PS5 Pro to run GTA 6 at 60 frames per second.
