A surprising discovery in a trail in Scotland has caught the attention of both the gaming community and developers alike. Janmatant, a user from GTAForums, found an Xbox 360 development kit that contains files from a prototype of Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV) dated November 2007.
This discovery, acquired for just five pounds, provides a fascinating window into the development process of the popular open-world game.
A way that would have succeeded, we all know it
The found prototype is 95% intact, but lacks crucial elements such as videos and some data, which limits its use mainly for historical purposes. Despite this, the available files exceed 120 GB and promise a unique insight into ideas that were not implemented in the final version of the game.
Among the found contents, there are indications suggesting a possible zombie mode, with collectible objects, dismembered police bodies, and a bloodied hospital stretcher.
According to a former Rockstar Games developer consulted by Kotaku, although he does not have clear memories of a specific zombie mode, the studio has attempted to incorporate zombies into several of its projects over the years.
This comment raises the possibility that the found content may be part of an experiment or an idea discarded in the early stages of the development of GTA IV.
The community has shown great interest in exploring the prototype further, which could provide a new context for fans of the saga and those curious about the creative process behind one of the most influential video games of the last decade.
Although it is still early to determine what else could be discovered, the initial analyses are promising and offer an exciting glimpse into what might have been.