The modder known as 'Dark Space,' who had released a playable recreation of the Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) map within Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5), has officially ceased all work on the project following a takedown notice from Take-Two, the owners of Rockstar Games. Dark Space's mod, which was freely available for download, was based on leaked coordinate data and official trailer footage of GTA 6. The mod gained significant attention in January, attracting fans eager for any glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming game set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S this fall.
Last week, Dark Space received a copyright strike notification from YouTube, prompted by a removal request from Take-Two. Multiple such strikes could lead to the termination of a YouTube channel. In response, Dark Space preemptively removed all download links to his mod, despite not being directly asked to do so by Take-Two. He also posted a video on his channel criticizing the company's actions, suggesting that the mod's accuracy to the GTA 6 map might have been a contributing factor to the takedown.
In a subsequent interview with IGN, Dark Space expressed a more resigned perspective, stating he anticipated the takedown given Take-Two's history of similar actions. He noted that his project heavily relied on an online community mapping effort using leaked coordinates, potentially spoiling the surprise of GTA 6's map for players. "If you spent years building out this amazing game world just to have some YouTuber spoil the experience of the map's shape, size, and vibe... I'd want it removed too," he remarked.
Dark Space confirmed that his GTA 6 mod project is completely terminated, saying, "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." He plans to continue creating content that his audience enjoys but will steer clear of further GTA 5 mods related to GTA 6, citing the risks involved.
Concerns are now rising about the potential targeting of the GTA 6 community mapping project by Take-Two. IGN has reached out to the group for their response.
GTA 6 Key Art's Hidden Map...?
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Take-Two's history of enforcing copyright includes the recent takedown of the YouTube channel behind the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' a mod that brought the world, cutscenes, and missions of 2002's Vice City into the 2008 GTA 4 engine.
Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar Games technical director, defended Take-Two and Rockstar's actions on Twitter, stating that the companies are protecting their commercial interests. He explained that mods like the 'VC NextGen Edition' directly compete with official products like the Definitive Edition, while others, such as the Liberty City preservation project, might interfere with potential remasters.
As fans await the release of GTA 6, they can explore IGN's coverage on various related topics, including an ex-Rockstar developer's comments on possible delays until May 2025, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's thoughts on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and expert opinions on whether the PS5 Pro can run GTA 6 at 60 frames per second.
