GTA 6 Map Mod Gets Nuked by Take-Two—Creator Says “It Was Just Hype!”

Well, that didn’t last long. The internet was buzzing this week when modder Dark Space dropped a playable GTA 6-style map in GTA 5, created from leaks and trailer screenshots. But just as quickly as it appeared, the mod has been wiped from existence—thanks to a swift takedown push by Take-Two Interactive, GTA’s publisher and well-known mod-crusher.

Did you know that the hacker who leaked game data in 2022 was sentenced to life in prison? That's right, a large-scale leak is an appropriate punishment.

Back to the map mod,

“In case you don’t know, I basically created a playable GTA 5 map based on the leaks and the trailer shots of GTA 6”

Dark Space explained in a now-removed YouTube video. The map was built using reference material from a fan-led community mapping project trying to reconstruct GTA 6’s world ahead of its launch. And apparently… it was a little too good.

“They must feel some sort of threat from it,” Dark Space speculates. “A playable version of the map could ruin the surprise and newness of GTA 6 when it releases.” While no official cease-and-desist email came in, YouTube swiftly removed all mod-related videos after Take-Two flagged them under copyright.

To avoid further heat, Dark Space took it a step further—removing download links to the mod even though they weren’t directly targeted. “It’s smarter to get out in front of them,” he said. Sadly, the takedown also wiped out what he says was a full month’s income, which he’d spent two months earning.

Despite the fallout, Dark Space insists the mod wasn’t hurting anyone. “In reality, my map does not negatively affect their sales. It was building hype around the game and giving players something to enjoy while we waited.” He ended his statement with a bit of fire: “When will these companies learn to stop attacking their own feet?”

The whole situation adds to a long history of Take-Two cracking down on modders—despite modding being one of the reasons GTA 5 still dominates PC charts over a decade later.

We get it—companies need to protect their IP. But maybe, just maybe, there’s room for fan passion projects that actually boost hype rather than hurt it.

Anyway, RIP to the GTA 6 Map in mod. You were too beautiful for this world.