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, are known for taking a more aggressive stance.
The modding team, World Travel, behind the "Liberty City Preservation Project," announced the shutdown on their Discord server. They cited "unexpected attention" and subsequent discussions with Rockstar Games as the reason for removing the mod. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the team emphasized their continued passion for GTA modding.
Speculation and Fan Reaction
Although World Travel avoided explicitly stating they were forced to cease development, many players suspect legal pressure from Rockstar Games. The implication is that continuing the project risked legal action, such as a DMCA takedown. Given the volunteer nature of most modding teams and the lack of legal resources, such threats often lead to project termination.
The shutdown has drawn considerable criticism of Rockstar and Take-Two on social media. Fans express frustration, particularly given the absence of Liberty City in the announced GTA 6 setting (so far only Vice City has been confirmed). While Take-Two might argue the mod could affect GTA 4 sales, many counter that playing the mod still requires owning GTA 5.
The future of World Travel's modding endeavors remains uncertain. While their passion persists, Take-Two's history of aggressive action against mods suggests a challenging environment for future projects. The Liberty City Preservation Project is no longer available, leaving fans disappointed but highlighting the ongoing tension between modding communities and game publishers.
