Rockstar Cracks Down on Mod Bringing GTA 4’s Liberty City to GTA 5

Shortly after unveiling the Liberty City Preservation Project to the public, an ambitious mod that integrated a playable version of Grand Theft Auto 4’s map into GTA 5, the developers have confirmed that the project is being removed following discussions with Rockstar Games.

The Liberty City Preservation Project, crafted by the modding team World Travel since 2018, garnered significant attention upon its recent launch, granting GTA 5 players the opportunity to navigate the stomping grounds of GTA 4’s protagonist, Niko Bellic. The mod brought the complete Liberty City map to life, including traffic, pedestrians, weather dynamics, and more, while also enhancing the experience with improved lighting, better textures, and fresh scenarios.

Regrettably, the enthusiastic reception of the mod led to a clash with Rockstar, resulting in the official termination of the Liberty City Preservation Project. Lead modder nkjellman announced this decision on Discord, stating, “Due to the unexpected attention that our project received and after speaking with Rockstar Games, we have decided to take down the Liberty City Preservation project.”

Expressing gratitude for the project’s support, nkjellman added, “We appreciate all the support the project has received, and we look forward to continuing to pursue our passion for modding the Grand Theft Auto series.”

While the specific reasons for Rockstar’s intervention were not disclosed by nkjellman, the studio has previously expressed disapproval of similar mods. In 2017, Rockstar halted the ‘Liberty City in GTA 5’ mod, asserting their stance against the use of intellectual property beyond their own. It appears that the Liberty City Preservation Project has run afoul of Rockstar’s policies in this regard.

Interestingly, reports had surfaced about an official GTA 4 remaster being in development in 2022, although it was reportedly put on hold due to the negative reception of the 2021 GTA: The Trilogy remasters. Notably, a Red Dead Redemption remaster that was initially rumored to be shelved did eventually materialize in 2023. This context suggests that Rockstar’s alleged GTA 4 remaster may be in progress, potentially influencing the swift shutdown of the Liberty City Preservation Project. With GTA 6 anticipated to launch this autumn, 2025 promises to be a significant year for the enduringly popular series.