In an interesting revelation, reports have emerged that Rockstar Games once considered developing a GTA 3 sequel set in the hustling and bustling city of Tokyo, Japan. However, the idea was ultimately scrapped in order to follow a storyline set in familiar territories, according to an anonymous source who spoke with TimeExtension.

The concept for Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo came to life after Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser began visiting Japan frequently during the promotional tour for GTA 3. The idea of bringing the chaotic and satirical world of GTA to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo seemed promising, but logistical challenges and cultural differences proved to be significant obstacles for the project.

"He had just released GTA 3 back then, and they were doing a lot of travel to Tokyo to promote the game," the anonymous source revealed. "It seemed like a cool, interesting city to do it in, but at the end of the day, it just came down to logistics."

The source further explained that mapping Tokyo and ensuring the cultural satire aligned with Rockstar's distinctive narrative style was an incredibly ambitious undertaking. In the end, the team decided it was "cooler to stick with the cities that were introduced in Grand Theft Auto 1," such as Vice City and San Andreas.

While Rockstar eventually went on to release GTA: San Andreas in 2004 — one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time — the possibility of exploring Tokyo in a GTA title remains an enticing "what could have been" moment for fans. Imagine riding bikes through the stations of Shibuya or shooting up ramen shops throughout the city.

As fans gear up for the release of GTA 6 to return to familiar, beloved locations, the idea of a GTA game set in Tokyo still captures the imagination of many. Perhaps one day, Rockstar will revisit the concept.

Rasha is an HR manager and contributor at The Daily Esports.