Earlier this month, Rockstar Games made a significant stride by aligning the PC version of GTA 5 with its current-generation console counterparts. In a notable development, the Rockstar-owned modding team Cfx.re, known for their popular multiplayer mod FiveM, announced the forthcoming release of an official asset conversion tool tailored for fellow modders utilizing the latest game version.
Enhancing the Modding Experience
FiveM, which first emerged in 2015, has empowered players to craft their own custom multiplayer servers, particularly for role-playing scenarios. In a strategic move in 2023, Rockstar Games acquired the Cfx.re team to bolster support for these dedicated servers. This acquisition comes amidst a backdrop of controversy, as a recent online discourse revealed a staggering 73,000 words detailing allegations surrounding FiveM and its team. However, the announcement of the new modding tool marks a groundbreaking moment in the realm of GTA modding, especially considering Rockstar’s historically cautious stance towards modifications.
According to a blog post from Cfx.re, shared via the Rockstar news account @videotechuk_, the recent upgrade to GTA 5 means that “custom assets currently used on FiveM and GTA 5 Legacy will not be natively compatible.” To remedy this, the team is developing a conversion tool aimed at assisting the modding community in adapting their assets to the new upgrade.
The blog elaborates that while certain file types, such as .ycd and .ybn, will remain unaffected, the conversion tool will ensure compatibility for:
- Dictionaries of multiple drawables (specifically, .ydd files)
- Generic models, geometry, optional embedded textures, and lights (.ydr files)
- Complex fragmented skeletons/models used for pedestrians, vehicles, destructible objects, etc. (.yft files)
- Texture dictionaries (.ytd files)
While the technicalities may seem daunting, the essence of this announcement is clear: Rockstar is providing an official mod-supporting tool, a departure from its previous, more restrictive approach to modding. This shift is particularly noteworthy given the recent history of mod-related takedowns, including a notable incident involving a mod that introduced a fully functional Liberty City map to GTA 5, which faced a “friendly takedown” after Rockstar’s intervention. The creators of that mod expressed uncertainty regarding the authenticity of the takedown request, especially in light of the ongoing FiveM drama.
Moreover, the landscape of modding has seen its share of challenges, such as a reported DMCA takedown issued to a creator of VR mods for GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 by Take-Two Interactive in 2022. Despite these hurdles, the current initiative from Cfx.re signals a welcome change, as they work diligently to finalize the release date of the conversion tool. The team encourages fans to remain engaged as they complete the final tasks necessary for the tool’s launch.
In a related note, Rockstar is actively pursuing legal action against a GTA Online website that facilitates the purchase of hacked accounts, citing concerns that such activities “risk upending the GTA 5 player experience.”
