Liberty City GTA 5 Mod Shut Down Following Contact with Rockstar Games
A highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 5 mod recreating Liberty City has been discontinued. The news follows the mod's popularity in 2024. While some game developers embrace modding, others, like Rockstar Games' parent company Take-Two Interactive, take a more aggressive stance. This isn't unusual; Nintendo and Take-Two have a history of shutting down fan-made modifications.
The developers behind the "Liberty City Preservation Project," the modding team World Travel, announced the shutdown on their Discord server. They cited "unexpected attention" and subsequent communication with Rockstar Games as the reason for removing the mod. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the team emphasized their continued passion for GTA modding.
Another Modding Project Halted
While World Travel avoided explicitly stating they were forced to cease development, many suspect legal pressure from Rockstar Games. The phrasing suggests a discussion, but the likely scenario is a warning about potential legal action, such as a DMCA takedown. Independent modders, often lacking legal representation, typically comply with such warnings to avoid costly litigation.
The mod's closure has angered many fans, who have criticized Rockstar and Take-Two on social media for their aggressive anti-modding policies. This frustration is heightened by the absence of Liberty City in the upcoming GTA 6, which currently features Vice City. While Take-Two might be concerned about potential impacts on GTA 4 sales, many argue this is illogical, as playing the mod still requires owning GTA 5.
Regardless of the reasoning, the Liberty City Preservation Project is no longer available. The modding community hopes future projects from World Travel will fare better, but Take-Two's approach to modding appears unlikely to change.
