Rockstar Games Shuts Down GTA 5’s Liberty City Preservation Project Mod

In a move that has sparked widespread disappointment among the Grand Theft Auto fanbase, Rockstar Games has officially shut down the Liberty City Preservation Project mod for GTA 5. This mod, which took six years to develop, allowed players to experience the Liberty City map from GTA IV within the GTA V engine, enhancing the game with new environments, pedestrians, interiors, ambience, and even radio stations from the earlier title.

The decision came after discussions with Rockstar Games, as announced by the mod’s creator, nkjellman, January 16, 2025. In their statement, nkjellman expressed gratitude for the unexpected attention and support the project received, mentioning that the team would continue their passion for modding the Grand Theft Auto series despite this setback.

The shutdown aligns with Rockstar’s established stance on unofficial modifications, which has historically been strict, although they have shown some leniency towards single-player, non-commercial mods that respect their intellectual property. However, this particular action has reignited debates within the gaming community about the balance between corporate control and fan creativity, especially given the mod’s non-commercial nature and the enhancement it provided to the player experience without infringing on sales of the original games.

Fans and modders expressed their frustration and disappointment across social media, with some suggesting that Rockstar might be preemptively protecting the sales potential of future titles like GTA 6, which has not yet been confirmed to include Liberty City. The modding community, known for its vibrant and innovative contributions to the longevity of the GTA series, feels this decision is a significant loss.

This event underscores the ongoing tension between game developers’ control over their IP and the passionate, creative endeavours of the gaming community. As of now, Rockstar Games has not provided further comment on the decision to terminate the mod.

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