A newly publicised archive of leaked game data has offered fresh clues about cancelled Grand Theft Auto 5 expansions, including a possible Liberty City addition, while also revealing an extremely early version of Grand Theft Auto 6.
The material reportedly comes from files that circulated privately after the major 2022 GTA 6 leak. The person responsible for that earlier breach reportedly sold an older build of GTA 5, along with additional GTA 6 data, to a contact on Telegram.
Those files remained largely within private circles until September 17, when access to an archive described as containing 190 GB of leaked content appeared to spread online. Researchers and fans have since been examining the data for evidence of abandoned projects and early development work.
For broader games coverage, see RETROCADE’s arcade news and editorial blog.
Liberty City was apparently considered for GTA 5
The most notable discovery concerns a proposed Liberty City expansion for GTA 5 or GTA Online. Audio assets and code reportedly point to work on bringing the complete setting from GTA 4 into the newer game.
This possibility had been rumoured for years. A portfolio image from a former Rockstar employee also appeared to show GTA 4’s Liberty City running in the GTA 5 version of the RAGE engine. The newly surfaced files provide the clearest indication so far that the idea progressed beyond simple speculation.
Other abandoned GTA 5 plans are represented in the archive as well. Mission names and assets linked to the cancelled Agent Trevor expansion reportedly describe a single-player story in which Trevor works with the government. Planned features included a space station, luxury mansions and jetpacks.
Some of that concept’s material may have been adapted for later GTA Online content, including the Doomsday Heist. However, the newly accessible files appear to include unfinished elements that had not previously been widely shared.
Zombie expansion and unfinished vehicles
Michael’s long-rumoured zombie-themed expansion also appears in the leak. The files may indicate that players could have controlled one of Michael’s teenage children, although the available information does not establish how the proposed story would have worked.
Fans examining the archive have also identified beta vehicles and incomplete assets. One discovery appears to be a nearly finished combine harvester, adding another example of the production material that did not make it into the final game.
These details are a reminder of how much experimental content can exist during the development of a large open-world game. Similar behind-the-scenes discoveries are often useful to anyone interested in game hardware, preservation and the design of interactive worlds; RETROCADE’s arcade video collection explores that wider culture.
An early GTA 6 map dates back to 2015
The archive also appears to contain a very early version of the full GTA 6 map. Information within the files suggests it was created around 2015, making it more than a decade old by the time of the reported 2026 leak.
Despite its age, comparisons between locations in this early map and areas shown in the recent extended look at GTA 6 suggest that the broad layout may have remained recognisable. The principal changes appear to involve improved visuals, added detail and further refinement.
GTA 6 2015 on GTA 5 vs GTA 6 2026
View the comparison image — posted September 18, 2026.
The early footage and map material seem to show GTA 6 being prototyped in the GTA 5 engine. If the interpretation is accurate, it offers an unusual glimpse into how Rockstar may test the structure of a large open world before its final technology and presentation are ready.
The files may also suggest that a substantial part of the finished GTA 6 map has not yet been shown publicly. Players who want to discover Vice City without prior knowledge should be cautious around leak discussions on social media and forums.
More leaks before launch?
Legal action could remove some of the leaked material quickly, so individual claims should be treated carefully. Even so, the sequence of the 2022 breach, the Cyberleak gameplay videos reported during the summer and this latest data dump shows how frequently information about Rockstar’s next open-world game has escaped before release.
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19 for Xbox and PlayStation 5, less than 10 weeks after the reported September 18, 2026 update. Whether another leak appears before launch remains uncertain, but the game’s development history is already unusually well documented through unofficial material.
For readers interested in recreating the feel of classic game rooms rather than chasing unfinished software builds, RETROCADE’s arcade machines and arcade machine buying guide offer a practical place to start.
Leave a Reply