Major Blow to GTAV Fans: Take-Two Forces Shutdown of Game-Changing AI Story Mode Mod

Highlights

Take-Two Interactive has forced the removal of a popular GTA 5 mod that used generative AI, suggesting the copyright holders' dissatisfaction with AI-powered mods.

The "Sentient Streets" mod was removed from the game after Take-Two claimed copyright infringement, depriving players of the ability to have real-time conversations with non-player characters using a microphone. Bloc, the modder behind the creation, expressed disappointment at Take-Two's actions and their failure to communicate, although he acknowledged his limited resources to challenge the decision made by the publisher.

A popular mod for Grand Theft Auto 5 that used generative AI to create interactive NPCs has been removed following action by Take-Two Interactive. AI-powered mods are becoming more common in open-world games like GTA 5, Fallout 4, and Skyrim, but it seems that some copyright holders are not pleased with them.

The mod, called "Sentient Streets," was created by a well-known modder named Bloc and was released a few weeks ago. It allowed players to use a microphone to ask questions to specific NPCs in real time. The system would then use text-to-speech AI to generate an audio response, creating a realistic conversation. This feature made the mod extremely popular. The mod also included a storyline that players could discover while engaging in conversations with characters.

Now, the creator of the mod, Bloc, has confirmed that Take-Two Interactive pressured him to remove the content from the internet. In an official statement on his YouTube channel, Bloc revealed that Take-Two issued copyright claims against his work, resulting in the removal of his videos from YouTube and the mod links from Nexus Mods. Additionally, Bloc's account on Netlify, where he hosted an installation guide for the mod, was also taken down. "Sentient Streets" was widely regarded as one of the best mods for GTA 5, and Bloc's videos garnered over 100,000 views before they were removed. The modder expressed his disappointment at the one-sided nature of the situation, with the publisher never making an effort to communicate with him prior to taking action. It's worth noting that Bloc did not attempt to monetize the mod in any way.

Unfortunately, Bloc lacks sufficient means to contest the publisher's decision effectively. In light of this, he expressed through his official channel that he lacks the necessary resources to engage in legal action against Take-Two. Additionally, he emphasized that the mod is merely a side project for him. In a complaint, Bloc mentioned that platforms like YouTube can suspend his content at any moment due to copyright claims, even though they do not take similar actions against thousands of other GTA 5 videos available, which he perceives as unjust.

This instance is not the first time that the GTA publisher has taken down content associated with Grand Theft Auto, such as mods or videos. For example, last year, videos showcasing prototype gameplay from the initial GTA were also removed. Considering the growing use of generative artificial intelligence programs in mods, it is probable that Take-Two may take down other mods in the future.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Bloc/YouTube, IGN