GTA 6’s First Script Was Cancelled For Being “Too Dark,” Says Former Rockstar Magazine Chief Editor

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The Game Was Rebooted 3 Times Overall!

Story Highlight
  • Former Rockstar employee reveals that Rockstar cancelled three scripts for GTA 6.
  • The first script featured three protagonists but was scrapped because it was considered “too dark.”
  • The final script featuring Lucia and Jason began development in 2020 after Dan Houser left Rockstar.

Rockstar is finally set to release the sixth mainline entry in the GTA franchise after a long wait of 13 years. Just for reference, in the same period since 2000, 5 GTA titles were released.

The question of why it took Rockstar this long to make the 6th entry in the franchise has been on everyone’s mind. Now, a former Rockstar employee has revealed why, saying that GTA 6’s development began in 2014 and had three scripts cancelled before landing the right mark with Lucia and Jason’s story.

Why it matters: For Rockstar to cancel three scripts for GTA 6 showcases how far they’re willing to go to nail perfection. For such a highly regarded studio, nothing short of flawless is expected.

gta 6 lucia
GTA 6 Has A Development Budget Of $1 billion

In a new article published by the former Rockstar Magazine Chief Editor, it was revealed that Dan Houser began working on the first script for GTA 6 in 2014. The narrative in question featured three protagonists similar to those in GTA 5. 

They would include a former Vice City police officer, his son, and a right-hand man of a Colombian drug-lord. The said police officer was incorruptible but fell into organised crime to protect his son from the drug business.

The script was in development until 2016, when it was cancelled. Moreover, the script failed to meet Take-Two’s expectations and was deemed “too dark” to continue.

gta 6 buildings
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The second script only lasted for a few months and featured a less dark plot, focusing on an African-American soldier who had recently been released from prison.

The third version was scrapped in 2019, after which Rockstar decided to take a break. The fourth and final version currently features Lucia and Jason, inspired by the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.

It is also said in the same report that despite all the narrative changes, Rockstar was hesitant to make Vice City the primary setting for GTA 6. Aside from plot changes, gameplay mechanics and map locations remained the same from the start.

What are your thoughts on this report? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

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