The Grand Theft Auto franchise once came remarkably close to shifting its geographical focus to Tokyo, according to former Rockstar North technical director Obbe Vermeij. Vermeij, a veteran developer who played a key role in the creation of GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas, revealed that the Japanese project was eventually scrapped despite being seriously considered.
Over the decades, the series has become inextricably linked to the United States, with Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City serving as satirical reflections of New York, California, and Florida. It has been more than a quarter-century since the franchise ventured beyond North American borders—back to the series’ early days in London. However, the prospect of a Japanese-themed installment was once a significant topic of internal discussion.
In a recent conversation with GamesHub, Vermeij confirmed that Rockstar had explored several international settings during the series’ formative years.
“We toyed with the idea of setting GTA in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, or Istanbul. Tokyo, however, nearly became a reality. The plan was for a Japanese studio to take our engine and source code to develop GTA: Tokyo, but the project eventually stalled and never materialized.”
According to Vermeij, the massive commercial success of GTA V and the astronomical expectations surrounding the upcoming GTA 6 have made moving the series outside the US a high-risk gamble that Rockstar is unlikely to take.
“When billions of dollars are at stake, it is far safer to stick with a proven formula. Moreover, America remains the cultural heart of the West; these cities are recognizable to a global audience, even to those who have never visited them.”
Source: iXBT.games