GTA 6 Map Mod in GTA 5 Taken Down by Take-Two, Creator Says It Was 'Too Accurate'

The modder behind a fan-made recreation of the Grand Theft Auto 6 map within Grand Theft Auto 5, known as 'Dark Space,' has officially ceased all work on the project following a copyright takedown notice from Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games.

Dark Space's mod, which was available for free download, utilized leaked coordinate data and official trailer shots from GTA 6 to create a playable map. The mod gained significant attention in January, attracting eager GTA fans who were keen to explore a fan-made version of the upcoming game, slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S later this year.

The situation escalated when Take-Two issued a copyright removal request against Dark Space's YouTube content, prompting a strike on his channel. Faced with the potential termination of his channel after accumulating multiple strikes, Dark Space proactively removed all download links to his mod. He expressed his thoughts on the matter in a response video, suggesting that the accuracy of his mod's depiction of the GTA 6 map might have been too close to the real thing for Take-Two's comfort.

In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space shared a more resigned perspective, indicating he anticipated such an action based on Take-Two's history of targeting fan projects. He speculated that his mod's use of an online community mapping project, which precisely mapped out the GTA 6 world using leaked data, could be the reason behind Take-Two's aggressive response. He acknowledged that his mod might have spoiled the surprise element of the official game's map.

As a result of the takedown, Dark Space has completely abandoned the project, stating there is no point in continuing something that directly opposes Take-Two's wishes. He plans to focus on creating other types of content that his audience might enjoy, steering clear of any further GTA 5 mods related to GTA 6.

There are now concerns that the GTA 6 community mapping project might also be targeted by Take-Two. IGN has reached out to the group for their comments on the situation.

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4 ImagesTake-Two's actions are consistent with their past behavior, as seen when they targeted the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' YouTube channel. This fan project aimed to port elements of the 2002 Vice City into the 2008 GTA 4 engine.

A former Rockstar Games technical director, Obbe Vermeij, defended Take-Two's actions, emphasizing that the company is protecting its commercial interests. He highlighted that mods like the Vice City Nextgen Edition compete directly with official releases such as the Definitive Edition, while other mods, like the Liberty City preservation project, could potentially interfere with future remasters.

Vermeij urged fans not to be angry about these takedowns, stating that companies must protect their business interests. He noted that Take-Two has been more lenient with mods that do not directly impact their business, such as the GTA3 for Dreamcast project.

While the gaming community awaits the release of GTA 6, IGN continues to provide comprehensive coverage on related topics, including insights from former Rockstar developers on potential release delays, comments from Take-Two's CEO on the future of GTA Online, and expert opinions on the performance capabilities of the PS5 Pro for GTA 6.