A rumor new has sparked heated discussion on social media and online forums about Rockstar Games' next big project after the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI . According to unconfirmed information circulating online, the company may be preparing LA Noire 2 , the sequel to the police adventure released in 2011 and notable for its realistic facial expressions.
The claims have garnered interest from the gaming community, as they include references to a new setting, a story inspired by the Zodiac Killer , and significant advances in facial scanning technology. However, so far, Rockstar Games has not confirmed the game's development, so the information should be treated as rumors and not as data for its upcoming release.
LA Noire 2: What the new rumor claims
The information comes from a post that was initially discussed on the GTA Forums and then replicated in various online communities and on X. According to the claim attributed to a leaker, Rockstar may return to the LA Noire universe, creating a new game with a different location and plot.
See also: The biggest gaming horror series are more alive than ever
In particular, the supposed sequel is said to take place in San Francisco, while the central story will be related to the Zodiac Killer, one of the most well-known unsolved serial killers in US history.
The same rumor places the game's release possibly around 2030, without any official information confirming this timeline. If the scenario is true, it would be a project with a horizon of several years, which could take advantage of Rockstar's experience in developing complex narrative worlds.
At present, however, no official details have been presented about the development, gameplay, platforms, or release date of an LA Noire 2.
Why this particular leaker has attracted attention
One of the reasons why this rumor spread so quickly is the background of the person allegedly behind the information. According to reports, the leaker had published information about Grand Theft Auto VI in 2023, before more details about the game.
Among the information attributed to him are references to the relationship between protagonists Lucia and Jason, the criminal profile system, and the way in which specific mechanisms could influence the development of the story.
This precedent has fueled interest in the new claims. However, even if a leaker has relayed accurate information in the past, that doesn't mean every new post they make is necessarily accurate. Additionally, information circulating on forums may be based on speculation, misinterpretation, or evidence that cannot be independently verified.
Therefore, the rumor about LA Noire 2 is not a confirmation that Rockstar has begun development of the game.
See also: 40 years of Castlevania: The first game in the series is free on iPhone & Android
The technology that made the first LA Noire special
The original LA Noire was released in 2011 and was developed by Team Bondi, with Rockstar Games closely involved in the production and publishing of the title along with Take-Two Interactive.
The game was notable for its capture and playback technology expression facial. By scanning faces and recording their interpretation, characters could display subtle changes in their expressions during interrogations.
This approach was an important element of the gameplay. Players took on the role of Detective Cole Phelps and were asked to assess the suspects' reactions, identify contradictions in their statements, and decide how to continue the interrogation.
The technology wasn't perfect, but it helped make the dialogue and character expressions an essential part of the experience, rather than just an afterthought to a detective story.
Could a sequel change things again?
According to the rumor, Rockstar wants to significantly advance face scanning technology in a possible LA Noire 2. If this is confirmed, a new game could utilize more detailed facial models, more natural eye movements , and greater accuracy in rendering small expressive changes.
Such a development would be particularly important for a title based on interrogations and the observation of human behavior. More convincing performances could make the conversations with suspects more complex, while better direction and more detailed character rendering would enhance the cinematic feel.
At the same time, technology alone is not enough to create a successful experience. The quality of the script, the investigation of the crime scene, the freedom of the player and the reliability of the evidence of a case would be equally important for a modern police game.
See also: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is free on Nintendo Switch for a few days
The Zodiac Killer Case and Historical Background
The Zodiac Killer was linked to attacks in Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The case gained widespread publicity due to letters and encrypted messages sent to newspapers, but also because the identity of the perpetrator has not been definitively confirmed.
The possible choice of San Francisco as a setting could provide the appropriate historical context for a detective adventure that combines investigation, testimony, evidence and twists. However, there is no confirmed information on how this particular case would be utilized or if it would actually form the basis of the story.
For now, LA Noire 2 remains an unconfirmed possibility. Until an official announcement is made by Rockstar Games, both the supposed setting, the 2030 date, and the project's technological ambitions should be treated with caution.
