Rockstar shuts down popular GTA V Liberty City mod amid speculation about future projects

Rockstar Games has officially ended a prominent modding project for Grand Theft Auto V following discussions with its creators. The Liberty City Preservation Project, a fan-led initiative that sought to bring the iconic Liberty City map from Grand Theft Auto IV into the world of GTA V, has been discontinued after six years of dedicated development.

The announcement came through the team’s Discord server, where they shared that conversations with Rockstar resulted in a 'mutual agreement' to cease the project. The ambitious mod was intended to integrate Liberty City into GTA V’s existing environment seamlessly.

It featured significant upgrades, including enhanced graphics, detailed pedestrians, drivable vehicles, and fully interactive elements. The mod also incorporated a functioning subway system, dynamic weather conditions, and advanced lighting effects designed to align with GTA V’s visual standards. This project represented a significant effort to preserve and revitalize a beloved location within the Grand Theft Auto franchise, allowing players to explore Liberty City in a contemporary gaming context.

The decision to halt the project has disappointed fans and members of the modding community. It marks the end of a long-anticipated addition to GTA V's expansive world. Despite this setback, the creators expressed gratitude for the support received throughout the years and hinted at exploring other modding opportunities within the franchise.

Rockstar ends Liberty City mod

One of the mod creators, using the handle Nkjellman, explained on Discord that the project had gained unexpected attention, prompting discussions with Rockstar Games. Following these talks, the decision was made to remove the project from circulation. Nkjellman described the takedown as 'friendly' and emphasized that there was no hostility between the modding team and Rockstar or its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

The Liberty City Preservation Project is not the first mod to face similar action from Rockstar or Take-Two. In 2017, a separate mod, OpenIV’s Liberty City for GTA V, was also shut down. This earlier project allowed players to switch between Liberty City and Los Santos without loading screens. Take-Two argued that such modifications interfered with GTA Online’s operations and issued a cease-and-desist order.

Despite the closure, the creators expressed gratitude to fans who supported the project over the years. They also hinted at continuing their work on modding other aspects of the Grand Theft Auto series in the future.

The shutdown comes as fans eagerly await the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is slated for a 2025 launch. According to previous announcements, the game will be set in the fictional cities of Leonida and Vice City, marking a return to a setting inspired by Miami. Rockstar has not provided further details about the game, but anticipation remains high following the success of GTA V, which was originally released in 2013.

Speculation around GTA IV remaster

While speculation about a potential remaster of Grand Theft Auto IV persists, there has been no confirmation from Rockstar. Some believe the company's actions against mods like the Liberty City Preservation Project could be linked to preserving its intellectual property for future remasters. However, no concrete evidence supports these claims.

The closure of the Liberty City Preservation Project has sparked disappointment among fans and modders, many of whom see modding as a way to extend the life of games like GTA V. The modding community has long been a significant part of Grand Theft Auto’s popularity, allowing players to customize their experience and revisit familiar locations in new ways.

As the gaming world shifts its attention to the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, the fate of fan projects like this one remains uncertain. For now, Rockstar’s focus appears to be on delivering its highly anticipated new title while maintaining control over its intellectual property.