GTA 6 Map Mod in GTA 5 Taken Down by Take-Two, Creator Admits Accuracy Might Have Spoiled Surprise

The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who had created a playable recreation of the Grand Theft Auto 6 map within Grand Theft Auto 5, has ceased all work on the project following a takedown notice from Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two.

Dark Space's mod was based on leaked coordinate data and official trailer footage of GTA 6. He made his mod freely available for download and shared gameplay footage on his YouTube channel. The mod garnered significant attention in January, attracting GTA fans eager to explore a fan-made version of the upcoming game ahead of its official release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S this fall.

However, Dark Space faced a copyright strike from YouTube after Take-Two issued a removal request. Multiple copyright strikes can lead to the termination of a YouTube channel, prompting Dark Space to preemptively remove all download links to his mod, despite not being directly requested to do so by Take-Two. In response, he posted a video on his channel criticizing Take-Two's actions and suggesting that the mod's high accuracy to the actual GTA 6 map might have been the reason behind the takedown.

In an interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a more philosophical stance on the situation, stating that he anticipated the takedown based on Take-Two's history of such actions. He noted that his project drew from an online GTA 6 community mapping effort that used leaked coordinates, which might have spoiled the surprise for future players. Dark Space acknowledged Take-Two's perspective, understanding their desire to protect the unveiling of their meticulously crafted game world.

As a result of the takedown, Dark Space has completely halted his GTA 6 mod project and expressed reluctance to engage in similar modding activities in the future, citing the risks involved. There are now concerns that the GTA 6 community mapping project could also face action from Take-Two.

Take-Two's history of targeting fan projects includes the recent takedown of the YouTube channel behind the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' a mod that ported elements from the 2002 game into the 2008 GTA 4 engine. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended these actions, stating that Take-Two and Rockstar are protecting their business interests by removing mods that could compete with their official releases or future projects.

While awaiting the release of GTA 6, fans can explore IGN's coverage on related topics, including insights from a former Rockstar developer on potential delays, statements from Take-Two's CEO about GTA Online's future, and expert opinions on the performance capabilities of the PS5 Pro with GTA 6.

GTA 6 Key Art's Hidden Map..?

4 Images