It’s been set against fictionalised cityscapes like Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco – but could Leeds be the next backdrop for Grand Theft Auto?
The popular video game sees players dive into a world of crime and chaos, competing to rise through the criminal underworld as they pull off heists and race cars through the busy city streets.
It’s been met with both acclaim and controversy – while it’s one of the most profitable games of all time, it’s also been accused of glamorising violence.
Just as in the metropolitan capitals of the United States, Leeds is a city that has its fair share of criminal activity. We wanted to know what a GTA game would like if it was set in West Yorkshire, so asked ChatGPT to generate some ideas.
It came up with the rather unimaginative title “Grand Theft Auto: Leeds Chronicles” and gave as its setting: “A fictionalized version of Leeds, encompassing iconic landmarks like Leeds Town Hall, Kirkgate Market, the Corn Exchange, and the University of Leeds, as well as surrounding areas like the Yorkshire Dales.”
The artificial intelligence tool said the game would “revolve around a protagonist who returns to Leeds after years away, only to find the city embroiled in a web of corruption, gang warfare, and political intrigue”. The main character would become “entangled” in this underworld while also navigating personal quests and relationships.
It said that different gangs would control various parts of the city, while the game would capitalise on Leeds’ unique character including local radio stations, Yorkshire slang and “missions rooted in the city’s history”.
ChatGPT also gave a series of challenges relating to certain attractions in Leeds. Here are some of the best ones –
Just as in the metropolitan capitals of the United States, Leeds is a city that has its fair share of criminal activity. We wanted to know what a GTA game would like if it was set in West Yorkshire, so asked ChatGPT to generate some ideas.
7. Wildnerness survival in the Yorkshire Dales
Players find themselves stranded in the Yorkshire Dales, facing harsh weather conditions, wildlife threats, and limited resources. The challenge is to survive, navigate through treacherous terrain, and find a way back to civilisation while uncovering clues about a larger conspiracy hidden in the wilderness. Photo: Tony Johnson
An illegal off-road racing circuit emerges in the Yorkshire Dales. Players must compete in adrenaline-fueled races, master challenging terrains, and outwit rival drivers while avoiding law enforcement and environmental hazards. Photo: Tony Johnson
In a nod to Leeds United's iconic stadium, Elland Road, players are tasked with orchestrating a daring heist during a crucial matchday. The objective is to infiltrate the stadium's high-tech security systems, locate and retrieve a priceless artefact hidden within the VIP boxes, all while the game's intense atmosphere amplifies the pressure. Players must navigate through the bustling crowds, evade vigilant security personnel, and execute precision manoeuvres, blending football frenzy with high-stakes crime in a thrilling Leeds United-inspired escapade. Photo: Gary Longbottom
Players must intercept a confidential package being transported through Leeds Train Station. The challenge involves navigating crowded platforms, boarding a moving train, and confronting a group of highly trained operatives while deciphering the package's contents and implications. Photo: James Hardisty
Amidst a heated council meeting, players are tasked with discreetly planting incriminating evidence in the town hall's archives to expose political corruption. The challenge requires strategic planning, stealthy infiltration of secure areas, and navigating the intricate corridors of power while evading vigilant security personnel. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Players must navigate the bustling Kirkgate Market to locate a black-market supplier selling illicit goods. The challenge involves deciphering coded messages, blending into the diverse crowd of shoppers and vendors, and engaging in a tense negotiation or confrontation within the maze-like market stalls. Photo: Simon Hulme