A former Rockstar technical director has revealed details about how Rockstar Games almost made a Tokyo-based version of Grand Theft Auto, but the game was later scrapped.
Vermeij further pointed out that although people loved these ideas of GTA being set in different locations, he stated, “when you’ve got billions of dollars riding on it, it’s too easy to go let’s do what we know again, and also America is basically the epicenter of Western culture, so everybody knows the cities, even people who haven’t been there. They have a mental image of the cities.” Although the Tokyo-based GTA came very close to happening, the idea was eventually shelved, leaving fans over Reddit to imagine how different the series could have been.
Furthermore, the only GTA title set outside the United States was GTA: London. Former Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser previously explained why the franchise stays rooted in the US, stating that GTA needed “guns” and “larger-than-life characters,” and that the series was deeply tied to America. Houser added that the game reflected the country “from an outsider’s perspective,” and because of that, it “wouldn’t really have worked in the same way elsewhere.”
This approach isn’t unique to GTA. Todd Howard has further explained why Fallout continues to be set in the US, citing his love for the franchise’s “Americana naivete.” He noted that this theme is central to Fallout’s identity and confirmed that the series will “predominantly keep it in the U.S.”
In other news, players can check out this week’s GTA Online Christmas update, which brings snow to the game along with plenty of freebies, including a free Season’s Greetings Sweater, New Year Fireworks bodysuit, Snowball Launcher, Candy Cane melee weapon, a Firework Launcher, and several other items.
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