Rockstar Games has done an excellent job bringing GTA Online to where it is today. These days, the multiplayer component for Grand Theft Auto 5 is a standalone game with more content than most people would know what to do with. As much as there is a lot already to do in GTA Online, the game could have had even more.
According to Bloomberg, Rockstar shelved a GTA Online mode similar to GTA 4's "Cops 'n' Crooks." The report suggests that the mode would have added a "twist on the children's game where players organize into teams of good guys and bad guys." Rockstar is believed to have canned the mode after senior executives felt like the public might misinterpret the narrative "during a time of heightened skepticism and mistrust of American police."
In particular, the general public had negative opinions on law enforcement in the summer of 2020 following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.
The report adds that Rockstar doesn't have any plans to bring back the mode in the future as part of the company's plans to be more politically woke.
Rockstar is not a stranger to controversy. However, recent events have forced the company to make several changes. The report explains that Rockstar has taken several steps towards changing the narrative and improving its internal culture. To accomplish this, Rockstar has converted several contractual employees to full-time and added mental health breaks, all in a bid to change the perception about its crunch-happy workplace environment.
Interestingly enough, cancelations appear to have become a recurring theme for Rockstar Games these days.
The report comes on the back of rumors that Rockstar also shifted its resources to work on GTA Online and GTA 6 at the expense of remasters of GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption as well as a next-gen Red Dead Redemption 2 upgrade.
@noScope,
Maybe I am just thinking of the GTA story than with them not launching this game mode. It was overwhelming to say the least. Everyone I knew was complaining about something.
@digitalDrifter_21,
That sounds vaguely familiar but I was not able to find anything about this. I think so much news was coming out at the time, people got overwhelmed. Between the BLM protests, riots, deaths, and covid... it was A LOT.
@noScope,
There are a lot of crazies in the world. I know this is in part due to the population increase but a lot of people just plain have nothing going on in life.
I could have sworn there was something in RDR online that was removed as well but I can't think that far back at this point. Either way, it sucks they had to do it but I can understand why.
@stealthMode,
Yeah a lot of people were kind of mad when this news dropped. They would have been better off not even mentioning it.
I am on the fence with this though. Part of me thought it was a good move just because so many people are sensitive these days.
I remember hearing about this but never actually looked into it. It is a shame that stuff like this gets removed from games due to social issues with people that very likely don't even play the games. I mean I get being sensitive to certain things but PC culture is getting a bit too much.
I didn't know about this. Man, I loved Cops 'n' Crooks! Would have been a fun addition into GTA 5.
Like I get it, things were and still are a bit hot with IRL issues dealing with the cops but this is just a video game. If you are a grown adult playing this game and take inspiration from it into the real world, you need professional help. Stop punishing players over a few nut jobs.
Are you freaking kidding me.. It's just a game people. Take your feelings away from our game. Stop trying to please the far left and make money from our game. Don't change they way we play just because of someone's feelings. I deal with griefers all day long. A new mode would be great right now and your freaking taking out away.
Are you freaking kidding me.. It's just a game people. Take your feelings away from our game. Stop trying to please the far left and make money from our game. Don't change they way we play just because of someone's feelings. I deal with griefers all day long. A new mode would be great right now and your freaking taking out away.