The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who created a playable recreation of the Grand Theft Auto 6 map within Grand Theft Auto 5, has halted all work on the project following a takedown notice from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games.
Dark Space had developed a free-to-download mod using leaked coordinate data and official trailer footage from GTA 6. The mod, along with gameplay videos shared on his YouTube channel, gained significant attention in January, attracting GTA enthusiasts eager to explore a fan-made version of the upcoming game set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S this fall.
However, last week, Dark Space received a copyright strike from YouTube after Take-Two issued a removal request. Multiple such strikes can lead to a channel's termination. In response, Dark Space preemptively removed all download links to his mod and posted a video on his channel criticizing Take-Two. He suggested that the accuracy of his map recreation might have been the reason for the takedown.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a more philosophical stance, noting that he anticipated such action from Take-Two given their history of targeting fan projects. He acknowledged that his mod, built partly on a community mapping project using leaked coordinates, could have spoiled the surprise of GTA 6's map for players.
Dark Space concluded that further development on his mod would be futile given Take-Two's clear opposition to its existence. He plans to continue creating content that his audience enjoys but will steer clear of future GTA 5 mods related to GTA 6 due to the risks involved.
There is now speculation that the GTA 6 community mapping project could also be targeted by Take-Two. IGN has reached out to the group for comment.
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Take-Two has a track record of shutting down fan projects, including the recent takedown of the YouTube channel for the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' mod, which aimed to enhance the 2002 game using the 2008 GTA 4 engine.
A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended Take-Two's actions, explaining that the company is protecting its commercial interests. He noted that mods like the 'VC NextGen Edition' directly compete with official releases like the Definitive Edition, and other projects could interfere with potential remasters.
While the gaming community awaits the release of GTA 6, IGN continues to cover related news, including insights from an ex-Rockstar developer on potential delays, comments from Take-Two's CEO about the future of GTA Online, and expert analysis on the capabilities of the PS5 Pro for running GTA 6.
