The modding community for Grand Theft Auto has been rocked by news that 'Dark Space,' the creator behind a fan-made playable recreation of the GTA 6 map within GTA 5, has halted all work on the project. This decision came after receiving a takedown notice from Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games. Dark Space had crafted this mod using leaked coordinate data and official trailer shots from GTA 6, making it a highly anticipated project among the game's fanbase eager for any glimpse of the upcoming title set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S this fall.
The modder's YouTube channel became a focal point last week when it received a copyright strike from Take-Two, a move that could lead to channel termination if repeated. In response, Dark Space proactively removed all download links for his mod, despite not being directly requested to do so by Take-Two. He also aired his grievances in a response video, suggesting that the accuracy of his map recreation might have been too close to the real thing for comfort.
In a philosophical turn during an interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed that he was not surprised by the takedown, given Take-Two's history with similar actions. He speculated that the mod's potential to spoil the surprise of GTA 6's map might have been the catalyst for the company's swift action. "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," he remarked.
With the project now officially ceased, Dark Space has decided against further modding efforts related to GTA 6, citing the risks involved. This development has raised concerns within the community about the future of other fan projects, including the GTA 6 community mapping initiative, which also relies on leaked data.
Take-Two's aggressive stance on fan-made projects is not new. The company recently targeted the YouTube channel of the creators behind the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' a project that revamped the 2002 game using the 2008 GTA 4 engine. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended these actions, stating that Take-Two and Rockstar are simply protecting their commercial interests. He noted that mods like the Vice City Nextgen Edition directly compete with official releases like the Definitive Edition, and projects like the Liberty City preservation project could impact potential remasters.
As the gaming community awaits the official release of GTA 6, IGN continues to provide comprehensive coverage, including insights from former Rockstar developers on potential delays, the future of GTA Online, and the performance expectations for the game on the upcoming PS5 Pro.
GTA 6 Key Art's Hidden Map..?
4 Images
