Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has launched a coordinated effort to remove leaked assets from the internet, targeting footage and posts tied to a wave of files that surfaced last week. The material — reportedly recovered during the 2022 hack that also produced the first-ever gameplay of Grand Theft Auto 6 — includes cut dialogue from Grand Theft Auto 5, details of a scrapped Liberty City expansion, and an extremely early version of GTA 6’s map. While Take-Two is not pursuing the scorched-earth takedown it deployed against earlier leaks, the studio’s parent company is reportedly issuing copyright strikes against content creators who continue to post the material.
The haul of files has drawn significant attention for the sheer volume of unreleased content it contains. Among the most notable revelations are fragments of dialogue that appear to hint at alternative story outcomes, including a reportedly darker ending for Franklin. However, the two elements generating the most buzz are the details of the abandoned Liberty City expansion and the nascent state of the GTA 6 map, which offer a rare glimpse into the direction the studio was exploring before the project’s current form crystallized.
A More Measured Response Than Before
Unlike the aggressive legal and takedown campaign Take-Two mounted against the initial GTA 6 leaks, this latest push appears more surgical. The company is focusing on videos and posts that feature visuals of the leaked material or clips of the audio, rather than attempting to eliminate every trace of the data online. According to a content creator who documented the removals, the studio’s approach is aimed at pressuring creators through the threat of copyright strikes rather than pursuing broader litigation.
Take-Two are now taking down YouTube videos regarding the latest #GTA leaks. My video only covered a list of files, a visualisation of the data from one of the files using a fan made tool and one cut piece of GTA V dialogue. Nothing regarding #GTAVI.
Content creator
The creator’s post, which accompanied the removals, also shared a snippet of the cut GTA 5 dialogue that was central to the controversy, noting that the material was obtained through the hack rather than official release or legitimate datamining.
The timing of the takedowns carries particular weight given the game’s proximity to launch. With the release of GTA 6 now roughly two months away, Rockstar’s security posture is expected to be at an all-time high. The studio has been compromised by multiple leaks over the past four years, and the latest batch arrives at a moment when the game is likely near completion and vulnerable to premature spoilers. However, the absence of physical copies of the game in circulation makes it considerably more difficult for additional material to leak ahead of the launch window.
Looking Ahead
As the countdown to GTA 6’s release accelerates, the tension between the studio’s efforts to protect unreleased content and the relentless curiosity of the fanbase is likely to intensify. Even with Take-Two’s more measured response this time around, the precedent set by the 2022 hack means that more material could still surface online. The August footage that previously made its way to the public demonstrates that determined leaks are not impossible to stop, and the Liberty City expansion files and early GTA 6 map remain among the most sensitive of the haul.
For now, the message from Take-Two is clear: content creators who continue to post this illegally obtained material are at real risk of facing copyright strikes. As the launch approaches, fans will be watching closely to see whether the studio’s security measures can hold, or whether the next wave of leaks will test the boundaries of what remains protected.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
No comments