The Rise and Fall of the Liberty City Preservation Project
This month, the gaming community was treated to the incredible Liberty City Preservation Project (LCPP), a mod that aimed to breathe new life into GTA 4’s iconic map within the realms of GTA 5. After six years of passionate development, the mod offered a stunning recreation of Rockstar’s imagined New York, revitalized with improved visuals and audio. Steam Deck compatibility? That was just the cherry on top.
Rockstar’s Friendly Takedown
As we always say, what goes up must come down. Sadly, the excitement surrounding LCPP was short-lived. Like clockwork, as the mod garnered media attention, Rockstar Games noticed the stir. Known for their less-than-friendly stance on modding, especially as speculation grows around an official GTA 4 remaster, Take-Two’s attention was inevitable. A heartfelt message on the mod’s Discord confirmed the mod’s removal, with modder NK Jellman articulating the bittersweet news. ‘Mutually agreed upon’ can feel like a polite way of saying ‘thanks but no thanks.’
A Community Divided
The reaction from fans was decidedly mixed. With gamer sentiment swinging from poignant sadness to outrage—some even cheekily dubbing Rockstar ‘L-Star’—it was clear the community felt the impact of losing this passion project. As NK Jellman pointed out, there was no negativity. Yet, many couldn’t help but question if such talent and dedication deserved a cease and desist. Modding has long been a celebration of creative expression, and when the creators behind these projects face the chopping block, it leaves fans wondering—what’s next for the GTA community?
