Canceled PS2-era GTA Nearly Set in Tokyo

Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar technical director, recalled that the studio developed a concept for a PlayStation 2–era Grand Theft Auto set in Tokyo. The plan emerged after Grand Theft Auto III and aimed to transplant the GTA III–style open world into a Tokyo setting while retaining the series’ core structure.

Vermeij described gameplay elements that would reflect local culture. Samurai swords were expected to “play a big part,” and Japan’s street racing scene was slated for emphasis. The team compared the approach to Rockstar’s Bully in development terms, aiming for a narrower cultural focus rather than a wholesale change to core mechanics.

Rockstar examined several cities for a next entry, including Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Istanbul, London and Paris, but Vermeij identified Tokyo as the “most serious” option. The studio planned for a Japanese developer to lead production, with the finished game exported back to Western markets.

The Tokyo project was shelved after the necessary contracts were never finalized. Vermeij explained that logistical issues prevented the agreements from being completed and the concept did not move forward.

Rockstar registered trademarks for other potential entries, including GTA: Bogota and Sin City, while the main Grand Theft Auto series has continued to set its principal releases in fictionalized American cities. Rockstar is currently developing Grand Theft Auto VI, which returns players to Vice City and has a global release date of November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.