Rockstar Games once considered developing a sequel to GTA 3 set in Tokyo, an idea that was ultimately abandoned. The potential game, referred to as “GTA Tokyo,” was brought to light by a source from Rockstar, following the discovery of references to it by data miners in December 2023.
The idea reportedly stemmed from Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser’s frequent visits to Japan during the promotional period for GTA 3, which sparked interest in setting a game in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Tokyo.
Despite the initial enthusiasm, Rockstar eventually decided to shelve the Tokyo idea. The decision was influenced by logistical challenges, including the difficulty of conducting thorough research on Tokyo to accurately map the city for the game.
Additionally, there were concerns about how well Rockstar’s signature cultural satire and narrative style would translate to a Tokyo setting. Given these hurdles, Rockstar opted to stay within their comfort zone and focus on cities already established in the Grand Theft Auto series, rather than venturing into a new and unfamiliar territory.
The source revealed that although Tokyo seemed like a “cool, interesting city” for a game, the complexities of making the city’s unique culture and geography fit into the GTA framework proved too challenging. The decision was made to focus on cities that had already been introduced in the earlier games, where Rockstar could better align the game’s tone and gameplay mechanics with the setting.
In 2004, Rockstar released GTA San Andreas, which became one of the most acclaimed video games of all time. However, the idea of a GTA game set in Tokyo remains a tantalizing “what if” for fans and game developers alike. The unique atmosphere and culture of Tokyo could have provided a fascinating backdrop for a GTA game, offering something distinct from the American cities that have traditionally been the series’ focus.
While the Yakuza series offers a glimpse into what an open-world game in Tokyo can achieve, it is a different experience from what a GTA Tokyo might have offered. The Yakuza games are more focused on Japanese culture and storytelling, whereas GTA’s style is rooted in satire and open-world chaos.
The prospect of a GTA Tokyo remains an intriguing idea, and perhaps one day, Rockstar or another developer will revisit the concept and bring it to life.
