The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who had released 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 Take-Two, the owner of Rockstar Games.
Dark Space's mod was a free-to-download version of the GTA 5 map, created using leaked coordinate data and official trailer shots from GTA 6. He shared gameplay footage on his YouTube channel, which garnered significant attention from eager GTA fans in January, eager for a taste of what GTA 6 might offer when it launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S later this year.
However, last week, Dark Space received a copyright strike notification from YouTube after Take-Two issued a removal request. Multiple copyright strikes on a YouTube channel can lead to its termination, prompting Dark Space to remove all download links to his mod. Although Take-Two had not directly requested this action, Dark Space also posted a response video on his channel, criticizing the company and suggesting that the accuracy of his mod's map might have been a factor in the takedown.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space adopted a more philosophical stance, noting that he had anticipated such a move from Take-Two, given their history of takedowns. He believed that his mod, which was partially based on a community mapping project using leaked GTA 6 coordinates, might have spoiled the surprise of the game's map for future players.
Dark Space acknowledged Take-Two's perspective, understanding that years of work on a game world could be undermined by a mod that reveals too much too soon. Consequently, he has decided to end the project entirely, stating, "Well, they clearly do not want this project to exist... There’s no point putting more time into something that goes directly against what they’re willing to allow."
Moving forward, Dark Space plans to focus on creating content that his audience enjoys but will steer clear of further GTA 5 mods related to GTA 6, citing the potential risks involved.
There are now worries within the community that the GTA 6 community mapping project could be the next target for Take-Two's legal actions. IGN has reached out to the group for their response.
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Take-Two has a track record of targeting fan projects, with a recent example being the takedown of the YouTube channel for the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' which attempted to bring the world, cutscenes, and missions of 2002's Vice City into the 2008's GTA 4 engine.
A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, has defended Take-Two's actions, stating that both Take-Two and Rockstar are protecting their business interests. He explained on Twitter that mods like the VC NextGen Edition compete directly with official releases like the Definitive Edition, while projects like the Liberty City preservation in the GTA 5 engine could impact a potential GTA 4 remaster.
Vermeij emphasized that companies must protect their interests and that the best fans can hope for is that Take-Two allows mods that do not interfere with their business, citing the example of the GTA3 for Dreamcast project.
While waiting for GTA 6 to be released, fans can keep up with IGN's coverage, including insights from a former Rockstar developer on potential delays, comments from Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and expert analysis on whether the PS5 Pro can run GTA 6 at 60 frames per second.
