Rockstar Games could reportedly be looking beyond Grand Theft Auto VI with a return to one of its most distinctive older franchises, as fresh attention turns to long-running rumors of an L.A. Noire 2 (sequel).
The claim has resurfaced just weeks before GTA VI’s scheduled November 19, 2026 launch. A GTA Forums user known as Shahanshah has said Rockstar’s next major project may be L.A. Noire 2 rather than the widely expected Red Dead Redemption 3. The same rumor has circulated in various forms since 2023, so for now it remains unconfirmed.
A very different setting could be planned
According to the rumor, the sequel would leave 1940s Los Angeles behind and move the story to San Francisco. The game would reportedly focus on the Zodiac Killer case, which would naturally place the story in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
That would mark a major change from the original L.A. Noire, which was developed by Team Bondi and released in 2011. The first game built its identity around detective work, interrogations and detailed facial performances rather than the large-scale criminal sandbox formula associated with Grand Theft Auto.
The new project is also said to be targeting a major upgrade to facial scanning and animation. The original game became famous for its MotionScan technology, which allowed players to study suspects’ expressions during questioning. A modern sequel could give Rockstar room to revisit that idea with far more advanced performance-capture technology.
The rumor still comes with major doubts
Despite the renewed discussion, there is still no official confirmation from Rockstar Games. There has been no trailer, platform announcement, casting information, trademark filing or verified job listing directly proving that L.A. Noire 2 is in development.
The rumor has also been linked to a possible release around 2030, although that date is equally unverified. With Rockstar known for long development cycles, such a timeline would not be impossible, but there is no firm evidence behind it.
One additional complication is that Team Bondi no longer exists, meaning any sequel would have to be handled by Rockstar internally or by another studio.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Rockstar’s post-GTA VI plans remain a mystery. Red Dead Redemption 3 has long been the obvious fan expectation, but if these reports are accurate, the company could instead be preparing to revive a detective series that has been dormant for more than a decade.
Add Comment