Early character model of Rockstar's canceled Agent discovered
A dataminer has found an early model of the protagonist from Rockstar's canceled game Agent in the GTA V source code.
Introduction
A new discovery regarding Rockstar Games' canceled game Agent has caught the attention of fans and dataminers. A dataminer found an early character model of the protagonist from this ill-fated game within the source code of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V). This revelation sheds interesting light on the game's development and its long history.
Discovery of the character model
The discovery was made by a fan analyzing the source code of GTA V. This followed a leak of the source code that came to light in 2023. In a post on the GTA Forums, a character model was shared that not only appears to be original to Agent but also underscores that this content has never been seen in GTA V or GTA Online.
According to the dataminer, the model is located in a folder named 'Jimmy', which presumably was the codename for Agent. This folder falls under a hierarchy named 'Player', which may also hint at the character's role in the game. The discovered model can be seen as a remixed version of Niko Bellic, the protagonist from GTA IV.
The history of Agent
Agent, a project originally announced at E3 2007, was set to be an exclusive game for the PlayStation 3. In 2009, Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser officially announced that the game would be released, marking it as a long-awaited dream for Rockstar. Expectations were high, especially since the game was announced early on.
In 2011, some images of Agent leaked, leading to speculation about the progress of development. However, with the announcement of the PlayStation 4 in 2013, hopes for an Agent release began to fade. Questions about the game were increasingly left unanswered.
Timeline
E3 2007: Announcement of the collaboration between Sony and Rockstar Games for a new project, Agent.
2009: Sam Houser officially announces Agent during Sony's E3 event, with an expected release in 2010.
2018: The trademark for Agent expires, and in 2021, the official website for the game is taken offline.
The end of a dream
The development of Agent is a complex and ultimately frustrating saga. Despite Take-Two regularly renewing the trademark, no concrete new information or images have ever surfaced. The game remains one of the biggest mysteries for fans of Rockstar Games.
The rediscovery of a character model raises questions about what transpired behind the scenes at Rockstar. It appears that Agent was originally developed by Rockstar North, but resources were ultimately redirected to the development of GTA V. This led to the quietly canceled status of Agent and its status as a lost promise.
The technology and visual style evident in the character models suggest that Agent could have been a classic moment in video game history. Whether this discovery paves the way for a revival or a similar project remains to be seen.
