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 officially ceased all work on the project following a takedown notice from Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive.
Dark Space had created a free-to-download mod using leaked coordinate data and official trailer shots of GTA 6, sharing gameplay footage on his YouTube channel. The mod and its accompanying videos garnered significant attention in January, as eager GTA fans sought to experience a fan-made version of the anticipated GTA 6 map ahead of its official release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S later this year.
However, the project's popularity was short-lived. Last week, Dark Space received a copyright strike notification from YouTube after Take-Two issued a removal request. Multiple strikes could lead to the termination of a YouTube channel, a risk that Dark Space was unwilling to take. In response, he removed all download links to his mod and posted a video on his channel criticizing Take-Two's actions, suggesting that the accuracy of his map recreation might have been too close for comfort for the company.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a more philosophical stance, acknowledging that he anticipated such a response from Take-Two given their history of takedowns. He speculated that his mod, which was based in part on an online community mapping project using leaked coordinate points, may have threatened to spoil the surprise of GTA 6's map for players. Dark Space empathized with Take-Two's position, understanding their desire to protect the experience of their meticulously crafted game world.
As a result, Dark Space has completely abandoned his GTA 6 mod project, stating that there's no point in continuing something that directly contradicts Take-Two's wishes. He plans to focus on creating other content that his audience enjoys, steering clear of any future GTA 5 mods related to GTA 6 due to the perceived risks.
Concerns are now rising that the GTA 6 community mapping project could be the next target for Take-Two's takedown efforts. IGN has reached out to the group for their response.
Take-Two has a track record of shutting down fan projects, including the recent takedown of the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' YouTube channel, which had ported the world, cutscenes, and missions of 2002's Vice City into 2008's GTA 4. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended the company's actions, stating that both Take-Two and Rockstar are protecting their business interests. He explained that mods like the Vice City Nextgen Edition compete directly with official releases, such as the Definitive Edition, and that projects like the Liberty City preservation project could interfere with potential future remasters.
While fans await the release of GTA 6, they can stay updated with IGN's coverage on various related topics, including insights from a former Rockstar developer on potential delays, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick's comments on the future of GTA Online, and expert opinions on the performance capabilities of the PS5 Pro with GTA 6.
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