A Grand Theft Auto game set in Tokyo almost saw the light of day, but was ultimately scrapped, according to a former Rockstar Games developer.
Speaking to GamesHub, Obbe Vermeij, former technical director at Rockstar North who worked on GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas, said that the idea for GTA: Tokyo had indeed been considered and discussed. At one point, a studio in Japan was supposed to use Rockstar’s code to develop the project, but it never came to fruition.
Vermeij explains that, with the enormous scale and success of the franchise since GTA V, Rockstar prefers to stick to familiar locations rather than explore distant cities. He believes that as budgets and stakes increase, it becomes safer to stick with cities that are well known to the public (mainly American) than to attempt some strange environments.
He thinks it’s unlikely that the series will be set in places like Bogota or other exotic locations, even though some fans are hoping for the inclusion of areas such as the Caribbean in GTA 6 or future titles.
This is such an interesting glimpse into the development process! It’s fascinating to think about how different the game could have been in a setting like Tokyo. Thanks for sharing this intriguing bit of gaming history!
I completely agree! It’s intriguing how many ideas can get left on the cutting room floor. A Tokyo setting could have brought a unique cultural twist to the gameplay, especially with the vibrant cityscape and unique vehicle options.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating to think about how a Tokyo setting could have added a unique cultural twist to the game. The vibrant cityscape and distinct culture might have offered fresh gameplay dynamics that fans would have loved.
I completely agree! The vibrant streets and rich culture of Tokyo would have offered a fresh perspective for the game. Plus, the potential for unique missions inspired by local customs and landmarks could have made for some really engaging gameplay.