Mike Dailly, one of the founders of DMA Design and the developer of the original GTA prototype, has received Rockstar copyright strikes and been forced to take down some of his videos from YouTube. This includes both of his videos for the now 28-year-old prototype of Grand Theft Auto.
The only things that are left now on YouTube channel are Dailly's own work that wasn't used in GTA, although this work apparently later inspired "parts of [the game's] evolution." The channel itself is full of old development videos, including his work on the Lemmings series and other developer tinkerings that may interest fans who want a look behind the scenes.
Why is Rockstar hitting an original GTA developer with copyright strikes?
This isn't the first time Take-Two Interactive has shut something down they probably didn't have to, and it looks like it won't be the last time either. Other questionable Take-Two decisions include the It Takes Two (get it?) creator getting hit with a trademark claim, as well as the company's famously slap-happy attitude when it comes to GTA mods, which goes to show how litigious and copyright-happy their lawyers seem to be.
Dailly isn't pleased with Rockstar's decision. "Developers should always be allowed to show their work, especially works that are 28 years old!" Dailly told PC Gamer. In a tweet, Dailly also stated that Rockstar is currently "issuing copyright strikes to any GTA video they can find", which includes both of his prototype videos and other GTA content on his channel. Presumably, that also includes other creators uploading GTA videos.
The videos in question were apparently posted two months ago, and showed two prototypes: a top-down prototype created in 1994, and the first rotating isometric prototype of the game. They weren't very long: the first video is 2:42 while the second is 2:02, so less than five minutes of content in total. Apparently that was all Rockstar needed to go after the original GTA developer and issue the copyright strikes.
For more information on Rockstar, DCMA takedowns, and other Take-Two shenanigans, stay tuned to TechRaptor.
