Rockstar Games’ Lost Spy Thriller “Agent” Resurfaces Through GTA Leaks

The first leak of GTA 6 had more than 90 video clips of early gameplay. The hacker also got to the source code for both GTA 5 and GTA 6. The most recent information about Agent has been found in the GTA 5 source code. Fans found characters from Agent hidden in GTA 5's code almost a year ago. This sparked new interest in a game that had been idle for over a decade.

Agent was supposed to be a stealth-action spy game set during the Cold War in the 1970s. The game was first hinted at in July 2007 and then officially released in June 2009. It was only going to be available on the PlayStation 3. But Rockstar abandoned its trademark in November 2018 and hasn't said anything publicly since then.

There are several character models linked to Agent in the GTA 5 source code.

One of them could be the main character. A report noted that some of these models are based on NPCs from GTA 5, while others are entirely new. Combat boots, gloves, and cargo trousers make the models look like spies. A 2011 leak of pictures from a former environment artist revealed Rockstar's early plans for a James Bond-like Cold War agent.

More studies revealed that the models' backgrounds and UV maps were based on GTA 5 characters, especially Nicole. The combination makes it look like Rockstar tried using assets in different ways for Agent, mixing new designs with older ones with a spy theme. Metadata in the files even references Rockstar North and dates back to June 25, 2009, when the game was still in development.

A report presented additional evidence, including wireframe shots and close-ups of the character's outfit and headgear, demonstrating the care put into Agent. These findings suggest a completely designed gaming environment that was never played. After the PlayStation 4's 2013 release, Agent was considered for the next-generation system. Although Take-Two Interactive revived the title in 2013, the project was no longer ongoing by 2018. 

Former Rockstar developers said the studio focused on GTA 5 and sent the Agent's production team elsewhere. Co-founder Dan Houser told Lex Fridman that the open-world structure that made Rockstar games famous wasn't right for a fast-paced spy story with beat-to-beat action.

The game went through many forms, some set in the 1970s and others in the present day, but it never really came together into a playable form. Houser thought the dramatic story worked on paper, but it was too hard to pull off in an open-world game. There were assassinations, geopolitical intrigue, and covert operations, but they didn't fit well with Rockstar's customary open-world gameplay. Players are used to being able to go wherever they want, unlike a tightly scripted spy task structure.

Could Rockstar bring Agent back in the future?

Style-wise, Agent appears nearly polished despite its issues. It may have been a distinct take on Rockstar's open-world approach with a clear protagonist character and early environmental themes. After GTA 6, fans wonder if Rockstar would revisit the idea.

Leaks like these reveal the corporation is vulnerable to hackers. Over the past few years, Rockstar's projects have been constantly leaked, from small secrets to big changes to GTA 6. Each leak adds to the rumors by showing what the studio wants to do and how much promise it still has. Fans are still talking about these new details, which makes people wonder what will happen to Rockstar's upcoming games. Could Agent ever become a playable game, or will it just be an interesting part of video game history?