Grand Theft Auto modding

While mods for Grand Theft Auto have been developed by hobbyists since the release of the first game, mods only became more accessible and popular with the release of Grand Theft Auto III on Microsoft Windows in May 2002.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} The use of a 3D game engine (the first in the series{{Cite web |last1=Fahs |first1=Travis |title=The Leif Ericson Awards – IGN |date=24 March 2008 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/24/the-leif-ericson-awards?page=3 |access-date=27 August 2015 |website=IGN |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160344/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/24/the-leif-ericson-awards?page=3 |url-status=live}}) allowed development of custom vehicles, textures and character models, followed by new missions and map modifications; the success of these new types of mods started to attract widespread attention. In the following years, the modding scene became more sophisticated and complex, as various aspects of the game's internals were gradually being discovered and documented by hackers. One of the best-known examples is the iCEnhancer graphics modification{{Cite web |title=GTA 4's iCEnhancer mod has Liberty City looking better than ever |website=PC Gamer |date=16 February 2015 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-4s-icenhancer-mod-has-liberty-city-looking-better-than-ever/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=29 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829021310/http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-4s-icenhancer-mod-has-liberty-city-looking-better-than-ever/ |url-status=live |last1=Savage |first1=Phil}} for Grand Theft Auto IV by Hayssam Keilany, praised by reviewers and labelled as "arguably one of the best mods of all time" by Polygon.{{Cite web |title=Are These Real Photos or GTA IV Screenshots? – IGN |date=29 July 2011 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/29/are-these-real-photos-or-gta-iv-screenshots |website=IGN |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181002/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/29/are-these-real-photos-or-gta-iv-screenshots |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Plante |first1=Chris |title=GTA 4 now looks as good as GTA 5 — if you have a PC |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/25/5936339/gta-4-icenhancer-3-mod-gta-5 |website=Polygon |date=25 July 2014 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825032955/http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/25/5936339/gta-4-icenhancer-3-mod-gta-5 |url-status=live}}

In most of the games, certain data files were stored in simple archives or plain text files, allowing modders to edit them using basic tools.{{Cite news |title=Fans hit back in GTA sex storm |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4735603.stm |newspaper=BBC |date=2 August 2005 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=9 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009072049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4735603.stm |url-status=live}} However, more complex modifications, such as changes to the gameplay mechanics or the addition of custom models and/or maps, were not possible without more advanced tools specific to GTA, along with commercial-grade modelling programs such as SketchUp, 3ds Max, Blender and Zmodeler. For this reason, modders would often collaborate on various fan sites, pooling resources and sharing documentation with one another. In a quote by Patrick Wildenborg, the modder responsible for unlocking the Hot Coffee minigame, he stated that "the modding community felt like a bunch of friends trying to solve a mystery".{{Cite book |title=Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lYwy8K8hrRUC |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |date=3 April 2012 |isbn=978-0-470-93637-5 |first=David |last=Kushner}}

{{Quote box|quote = We know for a fact that there is a significant percentage of GTA fans who only buy the game for the PC because of the open-ended modification possibilities.|align = right|source = Unnamed modder cited in Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto|width = 25em|quoted = 1}}

Grand Theft Auto fan communities have been essential to the growth of the modding scene. Modders were able to exchange knowledge and team up in order to create new tools, mods and documentation. GTA communities, Internet forums, and fan sites have also been essential, as they serve as hosts for mods. Besides YouTube, sites such as GTANet, GTAinside, GTA V Mods and The GTA Place serve as platforms for content exchange and discussion about modding and the Grand Theft Auto series in general.

FiveM, an alternative multiplayer and role-playing modification for Grand Theft Auto Online, amassed a concurrent player count of 250,000 on Steam in April 2021, surpassing that of the base game.{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Iain |date=27 April 2021 |title=GTA 5 mod FiveM is more popular than GTA Online on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/grand-theft-auto-v/fivem-player-count |work=PCGamesN |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524033055/https://www.pcgamesn.com/grand-theft-auto-v/fivem-player-count |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Lister |first=Bishop |date=27 April 2021 |title=Grand Theft Auto 5 Mod Saw Higher Concurrent Player Count than Base Game |url=https://gamerant.com/grand-theft-auto-5-mod-saw-higher-concurrent-player-count-base-game/ |work=GameRant |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524033055/https://gamerant.com/grand-theft-auto-5-mod-saw-higher-concurrent-player-count-base-game/ |url-status=live}} Earlier in February, Grand Theft Auto V became the most-watched category on Twitch due to an update for NoPixel, one of FiveM's largest servers which costs around $10,000 monthly in hosting costs.

On 11 August 2023, Rockstar Games announced that it had acquired Cfx.re, the developers of FiveM. In the announcement, Rockstar stated it would "help [Cfx.re] find new ways to support this incredible community and improve the services they provide to their developers and players".{{Cite web |title=Roleplay Community Update |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/8971o8789584a4/roleplay-community-update |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=Rockstar Games |language=en-us}}

In February 2025, a comprehensive document titled "The Fall of FiveM" was published, detailing internal conflicts, management issues, and the departure of the original developers following Rockstar Games' acquisition of Cfx.re in 2023. The document also discusses the development of the Rockstar Online Modding Engine (ROME), an official modding platform, which is speculated to eventually replace FiveM.{{Cite web |author1=Catherine Lewis |date=2025-02-18 |title=73,000 words of drama about GTA 5 RP mod team's acquisition by Rockstar appear online, with claims that no original devs are left and the project is dying |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/grand-theft-auto/73-000-words-of-drama-about-gta-5-rp-mod-teams-acquisition-by-rockstar-appear-online-with-claims-that-no-original-devs-are-left-and-the-project-is-dying/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}

LCPDFR and LSPDFR are modifications released for Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V, that convert their respective games into a law enforcement simulator.{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |title=The People Who Roleplay As Cops In Grand Theft Auto |url=https://kotaku.com/the-people-who-roleplay-as-cops-in-grand-theft-auto-1787765109 |access-date=24 January 2022 |website=Kotaku |date=13 October 2016 |language=en-us |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124235805/https://kotaku.com/the-people-who-roleplay-as-cops-in-grand-theft-auto-1787765109 |url-status=live}} The mod's developers, G17 Media, also develop RDRFR, a similar law enforcement simulator conversion for Red Dead Redemption 2.{{Cite news |author=Fraser Brown |date=5 December 2019 |title=This Red Dead Redemption 2 mod will let you switch sides and become a lawman |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/this-red-dead-redemption-2-mod-will-let-you-switch-sides-and-become-a-lawman/ |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125001901/https://www.pcgamer.com/this-red-dead-redemption-2-mod-will-let-you-switch-sides-and-become-a-lawman/ |url-status=live}} As of January 2022, LSPDFR has almost 11 million downloads, and LCPDFR has 2 million downloads; the mods' website, LCPDFR.com, also hosts over 27,000 additional third-party mod files and has over 420,000 registered users.{{Cite web |title=LCPDFR.com Home |url=https://www.lcpdfr.com/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |website=LCPDFR.com |language=en-US |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121145502/https://www.lcpdfr.com/ |url-status=live}} LCPDFR and LSPDFR made news in Australia in 2017, when New South Wales Police Minister Troy Grant denounced the mods on Seven News, calling the ability to install addons based on the NSW Police and harm in-game NSW Police officers or potentially commit police brutality as them "perverse" and "inaccurate". Grant's statements were met with criticism from the LSPDFR community, including a developer of one of the NSW Police mods, who said their content was harmless and that they "inspired kids to think of a career in the emergency services field".{{Cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Alex |date=17 February 2017 |title=NSW Police Minister Complains About 7 Year Old Australian GTA Mod |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/nsw-police-minister-complains-about-7-year-old-australian-gta-mod/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125001306/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/nsw-police-minister-complains-about-7-year-old-australian-gta-mod/ |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last1=Oleary |first1=Dom |title=New South Wales Police Minister Attacks Aging GTA Mod |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/new-south-wales-police-minister-attacks-aging-gta-mod |access-date=24 January 2022 |website=TechRaptor |date=21 February 2017 |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124235806/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/new-south-wales-police-minister-attacks-aging-gta-mod |url-status=live}}

Researchers at Brigham Young University and UBC Sauder School of Business conducted a decision-making study in partnership with LSPDFR, with the goal of studying how players behave in law-enforcement situations. The study included a survey and optional data collection of players while using the modification. The study has since closed and results are being analyzed.{{Cite web |title=Decision Making Study |url=https://research.lcpdfr.com/ |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=research.lcpdfr.com |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123204328/https://research.lcpdfr.com/ |url-status=live}}

{{Quote box

| quote = Grand Theft Auto V{{'}}s release on the PC offers many advantages over the console release. Yet all of these pale in comparison to the most important advantage of all; modifications.

| align = left

| source = Matthew S. Smith and Gabe Gurwin of Digital Trends, 9 May 2015{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Matt |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/rub-the-pcs-dominance-in-the-face-of-your-console-friends-with-these-gta-v-mods/ |title=Take GTA V to the next level with the ten best mods for PC |date=9 May 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921051733/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/rub-the-pcs-dominance-in-the-face-of-your-console-friends-with-these-gta-v-mods/ |url-status=live}}

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Mods are a part of the Grand Theft Auto franchise's success on PCs.{{Cite web |title=5 crazy reminders of why we want Grand Theft Auto V on PC |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/08/13/why-we-want-gta-on-pc/ |website=VentureBeat |date=13 August 2013 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105004623/http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/13/why-we-want-gta-on-pc/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=The bizarre and often hilarious world of Grand Theft Auto V mods – CNET |url=http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/the-bizarre-and-often-hilarious-world-of-grand-theft-auto-v-mods/ |website=CNET |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801100414/http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/the-bizarre-and-often-hilarious-world-of-grand-theft-auto-v-mods/ |url-status=live}} Their popularity added on to the longevity and further success of the GTA series, and complex modifications such as Zombie Alarm and LSPDFR offer entirely new experiences.{{Cite web |title=GTA: San Andreas Zombie Alarm Mod |url=http://gta-san-andreas-zombie-alarm-mod.en.softonic.com/ |website=Softonic |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=19 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919080436/http://gta-san-andreas-zombie-alarm-mod.en.softonic.com/ |url-status=live}} Modding served as one of main channels for innovations in gameplay. The best example of this is arguably Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which boasts one of the largest modding communities in PC gaming.{{Cite web |last=Baeta |first=Maria |title=The best PC games for...mods {{!}} Top lists {{!}} Softonic|url = http://features.en.softonic.com/the-best-pc-games-for-mods|website = Softonic| date=23 January 2014 |access-date = 27 August 2015|archive-date = 1 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150901001428/http://features.en.softonic.com/the-best-pc-games-for-mods|url-status=dead}} New modifications are still released for the game decades after its release.

When Grand Theft Auto V was released on PC in 2015, the breakthrough of new mods depended on the creation of new GTA V-specific modification tools. While GTA IV already had many mods and tools due to its age, GTA V modders had difficulties creating mods until completely new tools were made. One of the most notable tools created was OpenIV, a file exploring and editing program allowing for easy manipulation of the game files.{{Cite web |title=GTA 5 getting closer to full scale modding, thanks to OpenIV update |website=PC Gamer |date=17 April 2015 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-5-getting-closer-to-full-scale-modding-thanks-to-openiv-update/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154321/http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-5-getting-closer-to-full-scale-modding-thanks-to-openiv-update/ |url-status=live |last1=Prescott |first1=Shaun}}

As GTA Online is built as a component of GTA V, it has been a subject of mods which intentionally caused negative effects on players' experiences.{{Cite web |title=This GTA Online Hack is a Nightmare for GTA V Players {{!}} SegmentNext|url = http://segmentnext.com/2015/08/17/this-gta-online-hack-is-a-nightmare-for-gta-v-players/|access-date = 27 August 2015|archive-date = 21 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150821011706/http://segmentnext.com/2015/08/17/this-gta-online-hack-is-a-nightmare-for-gta-v-players/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |title=GTA Online Mods Let People "Rape" Other Players |url=http://kotaku.com/gta-online-mods-let-people-rape-other-players-1618417938 |access-date=27 August 2015 |first=Patricia |last=Hernandez |date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=15 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815120302/http://kotaku.com/gta-online-mods-let-people-rape-other-players-1618417938 |url-status=live}} Because many mods in the form of in-game cheats were added to GTA Online, Rockstar developed an isolated section where those who used cheats in GTA Online would temporarily be placed.{{Cite web |title=Rockstar rolls out new cheat detection systems in GTA Online |website=PC Gamer |date=15 June 2015 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-rolls-out-new-cheat-detection-systems-in-gta-online/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=31 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831062140/http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-rolls-out-new-cheat-detection-systems-in-gta-online/ |url-status=live}} Prior to Grand Theft Auto IV and GTA Online, mods such as San Andreas Multiplayer{{Cite web |title=Video Games, News, Reviews, Walkthroughs, Cheat codes and More – Interact |url=http://www.gamezone.com/downloads/san-andreas-multiplayer |website=www.gamezone.com |access-date=27 August 2015 |last=GameZone |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020638/http://www.gamezone.com/downloads/san-andreas-multiplayer |url-status=live}} and Multi Theft Auto were developed in lieu of an official multiplayer component for previous titles.

Although major mod hosting websites (such as GTAinside or GTAGarage) often check mods for possible malware, content infected with viruses and rogue software occasionally slip through.{{Cite web |title=GTA 5 mods Angry Planes and No Clip contain malware |website=PC Gamer |date=14 May 2015 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-5-mods-angry-planes-and-no-clip-contain-malware/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822044131/http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-5-mods-angry-planes-and-no-clip-contain-malware/ |url-status=live}} As such, modding websites began to screen content owners and their works for any malicious content or similar quality or security issues.

{{Quote box

| quote = Our primary focus is on protecting GTA Online against modifications that could give players an unfair advantage, disrupt gameplay, or cause griefing.

| align = right

| source = Rockstar Games, Asked & Answered from 7 May 2015{{cite web |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52429/asked-answered-the-rockstar-editor-gta-online-updates |title=Asked & Answered: The Rockstar Editor, GTA Online Updates, PC Mods and More |access-date=10 December 2018 |archive-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203120431/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52429/asked-answered-the-rockstar-editor-gta-online-updates |url-status=live}}

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Modification of Grand Theft Auto is not endorsed by Rockstar and as such there is no official editor tool that allows manipulation of in-game files.{{Cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |title=There Are Several Promising PC Mods For GTA V Already |date=15 April 2015 |url=http://kotaku.com/there-are-several-promising-pc-mods-for-gta-v-already-1698065860 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=18 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818102820/http://kotaku.com/there-are-several-promising-pc-mods-for-gta-v-already-1698065860 |url-status=live}} In an answer to a question made by a fan, Rockstar expressed their views on GTA modification, stating that they have always appreciated the efforts of the modding community and still gladly remember classic mods like Zombie Invasion or the original Grand Theft Auto III map on Grand Theft Auto IV. They also declared that their modding policy has not changed and is same as for GTA IV.{{Cite web |title=Asked & Answered: The Rockstar Editor, GTA Online Updates, PC Mods and More {{!}} Rockstar Games|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52429/asked-answered-the-rockstar-editor-gta-online-updates|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507200436/http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52429/asked-answered-the-rockstar-editor-gta-online-updates|url-status=live}} The end-user licence agreement contradicts this however, as it states users may not "reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, display, perform, prepare derivative works based on, or otherwise modify the Software, in whole or in part".{{Cite web |title=End User License Agreement {{!}} Rockstar Games|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/eula|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905072755/http://www.rockstargames.com/eula|url-status=live}}

For the release of Grand Theft Auto V for PC, Rockstar indicated that its primary focus was ensuring that Grand Theft Auto Online was free of possible hacks and exploits, and that therefore modding would not be allowed in Online.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-new-things-should-you-expect-in-gta-v-pc/1100-6426472/ |title=What New Things Should You Expect in GTA V PC? |last=Dittler |first=Julien |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826020947/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-new-things-should-you-expect-in-gta-v-pc/1100-6426472/ |url-status=live}}

In August 2015, several members of the FiveM team had their Rockstar Games Social Club accounts suspended due to their involvement in an alternative multiplayer client for Grand Theft Auto V.{{Cite web |title=First GTA 5 Multiplayer Mod With User Created Game Modes Released |url=http://gamingbolt.com/first-gta-5-multiplayer-mod-with-user-created-game-modes-released |website=GamingBolt.com |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912043756/http://gamingbolt.com/first-gta-5-multiplayer-mod-with-user-created-game-modes-released |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=GTAV modders reportedly banned for creating their own online realm |website=PC Gamer |date=10 August 2015 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gtav-modders-reportedly-banned-for-creating-their-own-online-realm/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=29 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829234056/http://www.pcgamer.com/gtav-modders-reportedly-banned-for-creating-their-own-online-realm/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=GTA5 modders who made their own multiplayer banned by Rockstar |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=11 August 2015 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-10-rockstar-bans-gta5-modders-who-made-their-own-multiplayer |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=31 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831134606/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-10-rockstar-bans-gta5-modders-who-made-their-own-multiplayer |url-status=live}} Upon being contacted by Kotaku regarding the issue, Rockstar stated that the FiveM client was an unauthorized modification "designed to facilitate piracy" and that as such, it violated the terms of use and therefore members were banned from the Social Club service.{{Cite web |title=Modders Say Rockstar Banned Them For Making An Alternative To GTA Online |url=http://kotaku.com/rockstar-allegedly-bans-modders-for-making-alternative-1723093679 |access-date=27 August 2015 |first=Evan |last=Narcisse |date=10 August 2015 |archive-date=23 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823045025/http://kotaku.com/rockstar-allegedly-bans-modders-for-making-alternative-1723093679 |url-status=live}}

While Rockstar has previously provided some support with the original Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2, and even used a third-party utility for developing the Grand Theft Auto: London expansion packs,{{cite web |url=http://fifengr.com/gtacars/ |title=GTACars Utility |access-date=31 August 2009 |archive-date=1 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901141256/http://www.fifengr.com/gtacars/ |url-status=live}} the only official modification tool Rockstar has released is Rockstar Editor,{{Cite web |title=The Rockstar Editor is coming to 'GTA V' on consoles after all |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/05/07/gtav-video-editor-ps4-xbox-one/ |website=Engadget |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=1 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901010855/http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/07/gtav-video-editor-ps4-xbox-one/ |url-status=live}} a tool which allows users to record and edit videos in-game. Options such as effects, audio, speed, cameras, and navigation tools are made available to the player.{{Cite web |title=GTA 5 PC guide: how to use the Rockstar Editor & Director Mode |url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/04/14/gta-5-pc-rockstar-editor-director-mode-guide/ |website=VG247.com |date=14 April 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822092242/http://www.vg247.com/2015/04/14/gta-5-pc-rockstar-editor-director-mode-guide/ |url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Rockstar announced they were acquiring FiveM as part of an acquisition of Cfx.re.

{{Main|Hot Coffee mod}}

{{Quote box|quote = Before NIMF and [Leland] Yee warned everybody about Hot Coffee, we only had a couple of thousand downloads on the mod, after the media panic, over a million! In late summer of last year, our server was pushing like 7 TB of data a month.|align = right|source = Illspirit, a modder and administrator from GTAGarage (where Hot Coffee first appeared), speaking with Gamasutra{{cite web |last=Brathwaite |first=Brenda |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1794/hot_coffees_effects_on_the_mod_.php?print=1 |title=Hot Coffee's Effects on the Mod Scene |date=27 October 2006 |work=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc |access-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111407/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1794/hot_coffees_effects_on_the_mod_.php?print=1 |url-status=dead}}|width = 25em|quoted = 1}}

Hot Coffee is a normally inaccessible mini-game in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The mini-game portrays crudely animated sexual intercourse between the game's protagonist, Carl Johnson, and a chosen partner.{{Cite web |title=Rockstar: Hot Coffee controversy was "draining and upsetting" |website=PC Gamer |date=21 November 2012 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-hot-coffee-controversy/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |last1=Petitte |first1=Omri |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910210819/http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-hot-coffee-controversy/ |url-status=live}} After Patrick Wildenborg, a software engineer who also went by the alias "PatrickW", modified the game to make the mini-game accessible, Hot Coffee quickly gained notoriety worldwide, impacting consumer culture, politics and the video game industry as a whole.{{Cite news |title=In Video Game, a Download Unlocks Hidden Sex Scenes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/11/technology/in-video-game-a-download-unlocks-hidden-sex-scenes.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 July 2005 |access-date=27 August 2015 |issn=0362-4331 |first=Steve |last=Lohr |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313013514/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/11/technology/in-video-game-a-download-unlocks-hidden-sex-scenes.html |url-status=live}}

Rockstar initially blamed a "determined group of hackers" for hacking the base game and creating the mini-game from scratch.{{Cite web |title=Rockstar breaks silence on "Hot Coffee" GTA: San Andreas mod |date=13 July 2005 |url=https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2005/07/5088-2/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801064755/http://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2005/07/5088-2/ |url-status=live}} This claim was eventually refuted, as the mini-game's code and assets had been developed by Rockstar and were already present, unfinished and abandoned, on the game disc: the mod simply made the existing content available to players.{{Cite news |title=Who spilled Hot Coffee? |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=30 November 2012 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-30-who-spilled-hot-coffee |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905214335/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-30-who-spilled-hot-coffee |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=USATODAY.com – 'Grand Theft Auto' gets pulled over |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-07-20-gta-sex_x.htm |website=usatoday30.usatoday.com |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821001550/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-07-20-gta-sex_x.htm |url-status=live}} Rockstar would go on to indicate that they expected the ESRB rating to remain unchanged, as they had no control over the modifications applied to the game post-release.{{Cite web |title='Grand Sex Auto'? Sex Scenes Possibly Hidden In Game Have Critics In A Lather |website=MTV |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1505541/grand-sex-auto-sex-scenes-possibly-hidden-in-game-have-critics-in-a-lather/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428191419/http://www.mtv.com/news/1505541/grand-sex-auto-sex-scenes-possibly-hidden-in-game-have-critics-in-a-lather/ |url-status=dead}} However, the ESRB chose to have the rating changed to Adults Only, with the modding community taking the blame.{{Cite web |title=Cooling Hot Coffee: Inside San Andreas' AO rating |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cooling-hot-coffee-inside-san-andreas-ao-rating/1100-6129557/ |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124211722/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cooling-hot-coffee-inside-san-andreas-ao-rating/1100-6129557/ |url-status=live}} The ESRB later called on the video game industry to "proactively protect their games from illegal modifications by third parties, particularly when they serve to undermine the accuracy of the rating".{{Cite web |title=The Embattled ESRB: News from 1UP.com |url=http://www.1up.com/news/embattled-esrb |website=1Up.com |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083109/http://www.1up.com/news/embattled-esrb |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Entertainment Software Rating Board |url=http://www.esrb.org/about/news/7202005.jsp |website=www.esrb.org |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002305/http://www.esrb.org/about/news/7202005.jsp |url-status=live}} In his interview for CNET, David Kushner explained that some modders were "scared" that Rockstar would prevent modifications to their games after Hot Coffee, but noted that once the controversy had passed the outcome was of refined ESRB guidelines rather that increased regulation, and a renewed public appreciation for mature content in video games.{{Cite web |title=How Grand Theft Auto changed video games (and the world) – CNET |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/how-grand-theft-auto-changed-video-games-and-the-world/ |website=CNET |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801131058/http://www.cnet.com/news/how-grand-theft-auto-changed-video-games-and-the-world/ |url-status=live}} Of the controversy and eventual fallout, Gamasutra wrote that "The treatment left many in the GTA mod community with mixed feelings".

A weapon replacement for GTA V, which replaces the game's sticky bomb weapon with an exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 as a parody of the phone's battery explosion issue and subsequent recall, attracted controversy when Samsung Electronics America, Inc. reportedly issued takedown notices to YouTube demanding that videos depicting the phone be taken down as an alleged violation of its copyrights.{{cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |title=Samsung made YouTube remove video of GTA mod that turns Note 7 into a bomb |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/19/13333386/samsung-galaxy-note-7-gta-mod-youtube-takedown |website=The Verge |date=19 October 2016 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020222903/http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/19/13333386/samsung-galaxy-note-7-gta-mod-youtube-takedown |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 is a literal bomb in this GTA 5 mod |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/4/13147844/samsung-galaxy-note-7-gta-5-explosive |website=The Verge |date=4 October 2016 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=21 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021133204/http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/4/13147844/samsung-galaxy-note-7-gta-5-explosive |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Samsung blocks video of 'GTA V' Galaxy Note 7 bomb mod |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/19/samsung-galaxy-note-7-gtav-bomb-mod/ |website=Engadget |date=19 October 2016 |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020162425/https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/19/samsung-galaxy-note-7-GTAV-bomb-mod/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Samsung doesn't want you to see video of this GTA V exploding phone mod |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/10/samsung-doesnt-want-you-to-see-video-of-this-gta-v-exploding-phone-mod/ |website=Ars Technica |date=19 October 2016 |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=21 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021002328/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/10/samsung-doesnt-want-you-to-see-video-of-this-gta-v-exploding-phone-mod/ |url-status=live}} The Verge called this "bogus", and a "ridiculous overreach and misuse of the DMCA", while it was also believed that these takedowns would only draw further attention to the content. Although Samsung has attempted to take down videos depicting the mod, it has not targeted websites hosting the mod itself.{{cite news |title=Samsung 'blocks' exploding Note 7 parody videos |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37713939 |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022024144/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37713939 |url-status=live}}

On 14 June 2017, Take-Two Interactive sent a cease and desist to the developers of OpenIV, a program that allows users to install modifications for various Rockstar titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Max Payne 3 and Grand Theft Auto V, claiming that OpenIV allowed third-parties to modify and defeat the security features of its software.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-15-popular-gta-mod-openiv-receives-cease-and-desist-from-take-two |title=Popular GTA mod OpenIV receives cease and desist from Take-Two |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=15 June 2017 |archive-date=15 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615122920/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-15-popular-gta-mod-openiv-receives-cease-and-desist-from-take-two |url-status=live}} Rockstar later responded by saying that "Take-Two's actions were not specifically targeting single player mods... We are working to figure out how we can continue to support the creative community without negatively impacting our players."{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/heres-rockstars-statement-about-take-two-shutting-down-gtas-openiv-modding-tool/ |title=Here's Rockstar's statement about Take-Two shutting down GTA's OpenIV modding tool (Updated) |publisher=PC Gamer |access-date=18 June 2017 |archive-date=17 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617225133/http://www.pcgamer.com/heres-rockstars-statement-about-take-two-shutting-down-gtas-openiv-modding-tool/ |url-status=live}} In a statement on 23 June, Rockstar said that Take-Two had agreed not to take legal action against third-party single-player modding projects involving Rockstar's games on PC. Rockstar also contacted the developers of OpenIV, in an effort to resolve the dispute.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/23/15864600/rockstar-taketwo-openiv-gta-mod-legal-cease-desist |title=Rockstar urges Take-Two to ease off on Grand Theft Auto modders |publisher=Polygon |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=25 June 2017 |archive-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625080338/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/23/15864600/rockstar-taketwo-openiv-gta-mod-legal-cease-desist |url-status=live}} Although the details of said meeting remain undisclosed, shortly afterwards OpenIV was made available to download – and received a minor update – indicating the conversation with Rockstar was successful.{{Cite news |date=26 June 2017 |title=Player protests force change on GTA V mod kit |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40404622 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028223403/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40404622 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-modding-tool-openiv-receives-an-update-signaling-development-will-continue/ |title=GTA modding tool OpenIV receives an update, signaling development will continue |publisher=PC Gamer |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701055233/http://www.pcgamer.com/gta-modding-tool-openiv-receives-an-update-signaling-development-will-continue/ |url-status=live}} The cease and desist led to a review bomb from users,{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/history-of-steam-review-bombing |title=A brief history of how Steam review bombing damages developers |first=Kirk |last=McKeand |date=12 October 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017 |work=PCGamesN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012233506/https://www.pcgamesn.com/history-of-steam-review-bombing |archive-date=12 October 2017 |url-status=live }} and caused a chilling effect with some mod developers discontinuing support for the game due to perceived legal ramifications with modding Grand Theft Auto V.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/whats-going-on-with-gta-5-mods-right-now-heres-why-people-are-talking-about-it/ |title=What's going on with GTA 5 mods right now? Here's why people are talking about it |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |work=GamesRadar |publisher=Future plc |date=19 June 2017 |access-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224193521/https://www.gamesradar.com/au/whats-going-on-with-gta-5-mods-right-now-heres-why-people-are-talking-about-it/ |archive-date=24 December 2019 |url-status=live}}

On 19 February 2021, representatives claiming to be from Take-Two Interactive sent DMCA takedown notices to the team behind re3 and reVC, which were source code recreations of Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City respectively, whose goal was a modernised and improved version of the games which can be ported and played on contemporary and future platforms. The representatives alleged that the source code recreations were an act of copyright infringement, stating that "The work is not licensed in any way," and had their respective GitHub repositories taken down as a result.{{Cite web |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=22 February 2021 |title=Hackers release reverse-engineered versions of GTA III and Vice City, Rockstar busts them |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hackers-release-reverse-engineered-versions-of-gta-iii-and-vice-city-rockstar-busts-them/ |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=PC Gamer |language=en-US |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224224135/https://www.pcgamer.com/hackers-release-reverse-engineered-versions-of-gta-iii-and-vice-city-rockstar-busts-them/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Oloman |first=Jordan |date=24 February 2021 |title=Reverse-Engineered GTA 3 And Vice City Fan Project Taken Down – IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/reverse-engineered-gta-3-and-vice-city-fan-project-taken-down |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223103534/https://www.ign.com/articles/reverse-engineered-gta-3-and-vice-city-fan-project-taken-down |url-status=live}} Project leader aap cited the Super Mario 64 source code recreation as a precedent for the source code projects, noting that the Super Mario 64 repository is, as of 2021, still available despite Nintendo's reputation for aggressive litigation against copyright infringers.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=20 February 2021 |title=GTA 3 and Vice City reverse-engineering fan project hit with DMCA takedown |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-20-gta-3-and-vice-city-reverse-engineering-fan-project-hit-with-dmca-takedown |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=Eurogamer |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220110831/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-20-gta-3-and-vice-city-reverse-engineering-fan-project-hit-with-dmca-takedown |url-status=live}} In April, Theo, a New Zealand-based developer who maintained a fork of the source code, filed a counter-notice on GitHub, claiming that the code does not contain any original work owned by Take-Two; per DMCA rules regarding disputes, Theo's content was restored after two weeks, though the original repository and other forks remained unavailable.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/lone-developer-stands-up-to-grand-theft-auto-dmca-claim-1846864410 |title=Lone Developer Stands Up To Grand Theft Auto DMCA Claims, Wins |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |work=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |date=10 May 2021 |accessdate=13 May 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512043704/https://kotaku.com/lone-developer-stands-up-to-grand-theft-auto-dmca-claim-1846864410 |archivedate=12 May 2021 |url-status=live}} In September 2021, Take-Two filed a lawsuit in California against the programmers, asserting that they "are well aware that they do not possess the right to copy, adapt, or distribute derivative GTA source code, or the audiovisual elements of the games, and that doing so constitutes copyright infringement".{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-two-is-suing-the-creators-of-a-gta-3-and-vice-city-reverse-engineering-projects/ |title=Take-Two is suing the creators of GTA 3 and Vice City reverse engineering projects |last=Scullion |first=Chris |work=Video Games Chronicle |publisher=Gamer Network |date=3 September 2021 |accessdate=4 September 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903133408/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-two-is-suing-the-creators-of-a-gta-3-and-vice-city-reverse-engineering-projects/ |archivedate=3 September 2021 |url-status=live}}

On 16 January 2025, Liberty City Preservation Project mod—which sought to recreate Grand Theft Auto IV{{'}}s Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto V—was shut down after its developers were contacted by Rockstar.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Rockstar allegedly shuts down massive GTA 5 Liberty City mod |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/grand-theft-auto-v/liberty-city-mod-allegedly-shut-down |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}} The developers of LCPP mod doubt that the takedown request was genuine.{{Cite web |author1=Catherine Lewis |date=2025-02-18 |title=A month after the GTA 5 mod recreating GTA 4 was shut down, its modders are now "uncertain if this takedown request is genuine" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/grand-theft-auto/a-month-after-the-gta-5-mod-recreating-gta-4-was-shut-down-its-modders-are-now-uncertain-if-this-takedown-request-is-genuine/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}

On 23 January 2025, the YouTube channel of Revolution Team, developer of Grand Theft Auto IV mod Vice City: The Next-Gen Edition, a mod which sought to recreate Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in Grand Theft Auto IV, was taken down after an appeal from Take-Two Interactive.{{Cite web |author1=Ashley Bardhan |date=2025-01-23 |title=GTA 4 modders lose their YouTube channel as Take-Two seems to continue its quest to obliterate every GTA mod, but they still plan to deliver their upgraded Vice City |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/gta-4-modders-lose-their-youtube-channel-as-take-two-seems-to-continue-its-quest-to-obliterate-every-gta-mod-but-they-still-plan-to-deliver-their-upgraded-vice-city/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=gamesradar |language=en}} The mod itself remains available and released as a standalone title at that time of YouTube channel takedown.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-24 |title=Take-Two Takes Down GTA Vice City Mod YouTube Channel |url=https://80.lv/articles/take-two-takes-down-gta-vice-city-nextgen-edition-mod-youtube-channel/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=80.lv |language=en}}

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Modding

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