The Grand Theft Auto games have never crossed the pond in over two decades, but there was a point when it could've gone to Japan.
The recent leak of Rockstar Games' source code for Grand Theft Auto 5 on the internet, among others, has served as the fuel of what could be a year's worth of discussions and revelations, one of the most fascinating being the emergence of evidence suggesting the development of Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo.
This project, which was speculated about as early as 2016, has been a subject of intrigue among fans but had remained unconfirmed — until now.
In the leaked files, references to "Tokyo PS2" were found, which has been interpreted as a nod to the Japanese-themed Grand Theft Auto project that was leaked years ago. This information aligns with previous rumors and provides us with a clearer picture of Rockstar's once-ambitious plans to expand the GTA universe to a setting outside of its traditional American backdrop.
The concept of a GTA game set in Japan, specifically in Tokyo, opens up intriguing possibilities. Considering the unique urban landscape and rich culture of Japan, such a game offers a refreshing departure from the series' usual locales. The city's vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and distinct car culture could provide a rich canvas for the open-world gameplay that GTA is known for. However, setting a GTA game in Japan presents its own set of challenges, particularly concerning the series' characteristic portrayal of crime and violence.
Japan's stringent gun control laws and different approach to law enforcement would necessitate significant adjustments to the game's fundamental mechanics and narrative. Adapting GTA's satirical and often controversial style to a Japanese setting would require careful consideration to avoid cultural insensitivity or misrepresentation.
Finally, given Japan's strict rules surrounding violence in video games, Rockstar's decision to skip a Tokyo-set GTA game might have something to do with wanting to continue releasing its games in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The leak, shared across various platforms, including a dedicated Telegram channel for GTA leaks that we will not be linking to, has also brought to the light the cancellation of several planned expansions for GTA 5. Among the scrapped DLCs were ideas to take players on a return trip back to Liberty City or introduced new gameplay elements, such as romantic relationships or business ventures in the single-player mode.
Ultimately, the decision to abandon these expansions and the Tokyo project was likely influenced by a bevvy of factors, particularly the immense success of GTA Online, which has been a significant revenue generator for Rockstar Games, diverting resources and attention from single-player content. Additionally, the development focus shifted towards its major titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and the forthcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
While the company hasn't officially commented on the leak or the existence of GTA Tokyo, the uncovered and leaked files are offering a rare glimpse into the creative processes and unfulfilled ambitions of one of the gaming industry's most prominent developers.
As Rockstar continues to work on GTA 6, scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X in 2025, the leaked information about GTA Tokyo and other canceled projects serves as a reminder of the vast and often unpredictable nature of game development.
Who knows? Maybe in the future, a DLC for GTA 6 or a future GTA game might visit a different locale, like Tokyo.
