Early Builds of GTA: Liberty Stories LEAKED

On January 20, two prototype builds of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories surfaced online which left the gaming community buzzing with curiosity and excitement due to the unique opportunity of being able to witness the development process of the 2005 PlayStation Portable title.

Leaked on 4chan, these builds are intriguing enthusiasts as they uncover how the game had evolved during production. It’s a prequel to GTA 3, which was released on October 25,2005. Liberty City Stories hold a special place in the franchise for its debut and narrative depth.

Simmilarity And Differences

The leaked builds, dated just a few months before the game's release, reveal several similarities and differences from the final version. Notably, they include reused assets from GTA III

• Splash and Loading Screens: The splash screen mirrored the introduction in GTA III, although the sequence of Rockstar logos were different. Loading screens were entirely unique to this early version as well.
• Limited Audio Content: Only three radio stations were operational-Head Radio, Lips 106, and LCFR. Additionally, sound effects such as mission complete melodies along with ambient noise in missions like Biker Heat were distinct from the final release.
• Reused Assets: Many in-game assets, including models and files, were directly copied from GTA III. It was only later in development that Liberty City Stories began to incorporate unique models and designs.
• Simplified Map: The map in this build was less detailed, and had missing secondary roads and schematic representations of industrial and port areas on Staunton Island.
• Functional Testing: The build appeared to focus on basic functionality rather than final visuals or mechanics, indicating its role in testing the game’s core systems.

These leaks have provided a fascinating view about the creative decisions made during development, this discovery has sparked discussions among fans and gaming historians, particularly for its similarities to the beta elements of GTA III. This development has also  raised questions about the amount of material recycled or adapted in Liberty City Stories for it to align with its predecessor’s narrative.

Growing concerns

Rockstar Games has not officially commented on the leak themselves, but the community remains divided on the ethical implications of accessing and sharing these files.Regardless, this leak highlights the growing interest in examining the development processes behind iconic games.

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This incident adds to the recent trend of older Rockstar titles content leaks, raising concerns about game preservation and security in the industry. The leaked builds act as both a nostalgic treasure and a reminder of the risks companies face in protecting intellectual property.