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.
