Ex-Rockstar Developer Uncovers GTA: Tokyo Plans Alongside Other Global Locations

A former developer from Rockstar Games has recently shed light on ambitious plans for a Grand Theft Auto installment that would have transported players to Tokyo. In an enlightening interview with GamesHub, Obbe Vermeij, who previously served as a technical director at Rockstar North, revealed that international expansions of the series were considered following the successful launches of GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas.

Tokyo: A Near Reality for GTA

Vermeij disclosed that discussions around various global locations included not only Tokyo but also other significant cities like Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and Istanbul. Although the original vision for a game set in Tokyo was more than just a fleeting thought, it ultimately failed to materialize. Another studio in Japan was tapped to use Rockstar’s existing codebase to create a project referred to as GTA: Tokyo.

The endeavor would have represented a significant shift for the franchise, marking its first foray outside of its predominantly American settings.“We had ideas about GTA games in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and Istanbul. Tokyo almost actually happened. Another studio in Japan were going to do it, take our code and do GTA: Tokyo. But then that didn’t happen in the end, ” Vermeij noted.

Vermeij elaborated on the complexities of developing innovative ideas in the gaming industry, stating, “People love having these wild ideas, but then when you’ve got billions of dollars riding on it, it’s too easy to go ‘let’s do what we know again’.America is basically the epicenter of Western culture, so everybody knows the cities, even people who haven’t been there. They have a mental image of the cities.”

The Future of GTA: Vice City Returns

These revelations coincide with Rockstar’s preparations for the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, which takes players back to Vice City—an interpretation of Miami created by Rockstar. This installment, officially delayed to November 19, 2026, is set to be the developer’s most extensive and intricate open world yet while adhering to the series’ tradition of remaining US-centric.

Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser has also expressed skepticism about expanding the franchise beyond American borders, indicating that integrating non-American settings could be challenging due to the deeply embedded “Americana” present within the brand.

For more insights and updates on the possibility of expanded locations in the future and insights from industry veterans, stay tuned.

Source & Images