The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who had created a playable recreation of the Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) map within Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5), has halted 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 free to download, was based on leaked coordinate data and official trailer shots of GTA 6. He shared gameplay footage on his YouTube channel, which garnered significant attention from eager GTA fans in January. These fans were keen to explore a fan-made version of the GTA 6 map ahead of the game's official release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S later this year.
The situation escalated when Take-Two issued a copyright strike against Dark Space's YouTube videos last week. Faced with the potential termination of his channel due to multiple copyright strikes, Dark Space proactively removed all download links to his mod, even though Take-Two had not yet demanded their removal. In a response video, he criticized Take-Two's actions, hinting that the accuracy of his mod in replicating GTA 6's map might have been the trigger for the takedown.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a resigned acceptance of the situation, noting that he had anticipated such a response from Take-Two given their history of targeting fan-made projects. He suggested that his mod's detailed mapping, largely based on trailer shots but also drawing from a community mapping project using leaked coordinates, might have posed a risk of spoiling the surprise of GTA 6's world for players.
As a result, Dark Space has decided to cease all further development on his GTA 6 mod project, acknowledging Take-Two's clear stance against its existence. He plans to shift his focus to creating other content that his audience might enjoy, opting out of future GTA 5 modding projects related to GTA 6 due to the perceived risks involved.
Concerns are now rising within the GTA 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.
Take-Two's history of enforcing copyright includes the recent takedown of the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' YouTube channel, which had been working on porting the 2002 game into the engine of GTA 4 from 2008. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended these actions, stating that Take-Two and Rockstar are protecting their commercial interests. He pointed out that mods like the Vice City Nextgen Edition could compete with official releases like the Definitive Edition, and projects like the Liberty City preservation could impact potential remasters.
While awaiting the release of GTA 6, fans can follow IGN's ongoing coverage, which includes insights from former Rockstar developers on the game's potential release timeline, comments from Take-Two's CEO on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and analyses on the performance capabilities of the PS5 Pro for running GTA 6.
GTA 6 Key Art's Hidden Map..?
4 Images
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
