Rockstar once considered a GTA set in Tokyo with a Japanese studio
The idea of a Grand Theft Auto set outside the United States has long been a subject of industry speculation, but according to a former technical director at Rockstar North, the company once actively pursued a version of the franchise set in Japan. Obbe Vermeij revealed that Rockstar was in negotiations with a Japanese studio to develop a GTA title set in Tokyo, a project that ultimately remained a concept despite serious discussions.
In a recent discussion, Obbe Vermeij, who served as technical director at Rockstar North from 1995 to 2009, shared insights into the studio's abandoned ambitions. While the project never reached full production, Vermeij confirmed that the discussions were more than mere speculation. "It was definitely serious. It was the plan," Vermeij stated, though he noted that he could not reveal the name of the studio involved to avoid escalating the matter or potentially misidentifying them.
The concept of 'GTA Tokyo' dates back to at least 2003, when Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, filed a trademark for the title. This was a year before the release of GTA: San Andreas. While some fans have pointed to references like 'Tokyo PS2' in the source code of GTA 5 as evidence of such a project, Vermeij's account suggests the idea was a strategic attempt to penetrate the Japanese market, where the franchise has historically seen less success than in North America and Europe.
A contemporary vision of Japan
Regarding the setting and tone, Vermeij clarified that the game would not have been a historical epic like Red Dead Redemption. Instead, it would have been a contemporary setting, likely featuring modern-day elements alongside traditional touches. "It definitely had samurai swords in it, I remember that, but I think it was present-day probably," he explained, emphasizing that the story would not have taken place in a medieval era.
The decision to involve a local studio was driven by the understanding that Japanese player preferences often differ significantly from Western audiences. Vermeij noted that Rockstar's co-founders, the Housers, were reportedly keen to see the franchise succeed in Japan. By partnering with a Japanese developer, Rockstar hoped to tailor the experience to local tastes, which often favor different gameplay loops and cultural nuances than the typical Western open-world formula.
The 'Americana' problem
Despite these serious negotiations, the project was ultimately abandoned, and Take-Two let the 'GTA Tokyo' trademark expire in 2008. This aligns with comments made by co-founder Dan Houser, who left the company in 2020. Houser suggested that the core identity of Grand Theft Auto is deeply rooted in 'Americana'—the specific atmosphere, characters, and themes inherent to the United States. According to Houser, replicating that specific energy in a city like London or Tokyo would have been an immense challenge, as the IP's DNA is fundamentally tied to the American perspective.
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