Unveiling Rockstar’s Abandoned Zombie Project: A Glimpse into the Unrealized “Project Z”

When one thinks of Rockstar Games, the immediate associations are often with the sprawling landscapes of Red Dead Redemption or the urban chaos of GTA. However, there was a time when Rockstar flirted with the idea of venturing into the realm of open-world zombie gaming, akin to the acclaimed Days Gone.

 

This revelation stems from insights shared by a former Rockstar employee, coinciding with the discovery of Bully 2 data within GTA V and the revelation of lost GTA V DLC. Users clamor for explanations about what went awry and if the undead might still find their way back into Rockstar’s repertoire.

 

In the spirit of the GTA universe, envision a remastered Vice City with updated graphics!

 

While the original blog post containing this information has been removed following Rockstar’s expression of displeasure, key points about this abandoned project linger. According to Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar employee, a faction within the Rockstar North team yearned to explore something distinct from the familiar Vice City landscape.

 

“Some of the artists aspired to create a zombie survival game,” Vermeij disclosed. “Programmers leaned towards fantasy, while artists were drawn to zombies. The pursuit of the zombie concept persisted for a while, and the working title for the game was 'Z' (pronounced zed, not zee).” Despite GTA Vice City’s acclaim for its “sensational” music, the desire to break new ground is evident. After dedicating years of their lives to a single game, the allure of something different becomes irresistible. Enter zombies—a markedly different terrain.

 

Adding to the intrigue of this hinted open-world zombie saga is its proposed setting: a Scottish island, utilizing previously employed Vice City code. An island provides an ideal isolated backdrop, particularly amid a zombie apocalypse. The choice of Scotland, however, raises questions. It stands in stark contrast to the US setting of GTA, prompting speculation about a deliberate departure from the familiar.

 

While the Days Gone-inspired ‘Project Z’ never materialized, Rockstar enthusiasts did experience a zombie extravaganza in the form of Red Dead Redemption DLC. Widely praised, this DLC serves as a noteworthy consolation for those disheartened by the shelving of the ambitious ‘Project Z.’