Summary
- A GTA 5 mod featuring Liberty City was shut down after "speaking to Rockstar Games."
- Many players suspect that the modders were forced to discontinue the project.
- Despite setbacks, the modding team remains passionate and aims to continue modding for the game.
An incredible Grand Theft Auto 5 mod that allowed players to revisit Liberty City has been discontinued, leaving fans disappointed. The mod, which garnered significant attention in 2024, was a labor of love by the modding team World Travel. However, after receiving "unexpected attention" and subsequent discussions with Rockstar Games, the team announced the project's closure via their Discord channel.
While some game companies like Bethesda embrace community modding, others such as Nintendo and Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, have historically been more restrictive. Despite the legal challenges posed by some publishers, the passion for modding remains strong among enthusiasts, and World Travel expressed their continued interest in modding for GTA, underscoring their dedication to the craft.
Another GTA Mod Bites the Dust
Although World Travel did not explicitly state they were forced to shut down the mod, the community suspects that the "talks" with Rockstar were more of a warning about potential legal action, such as a DMCA takedown. Given that most mods are developed by volunteers without legal support, such threats often lead to the swift closure of projects.
The fanbase has voiced their frustration on social media, criticizing Rockstar and Take-Two for their aggressive stance against mods. Some speculate that the company's concern might be related to the potential impact on sales of GTA 4, though this logic is contested by many, as GTA 4 continues to age and playing the mod still requires ownership of GTA 5. Despite the reasoning behind Take-Two's actions, the Liberty City Preservation Project is no longer available. Fans can only hope that future projects from World Travel fare better, but it appears that Take-Two's approach to modding will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
