Summary:
The rumour that Rockstar could revive L.A. Noire as its next big project after Grand Theft Auto VI has been circulating again, driven by a resurfaced 2023 leak that claims the sequel would move the series from 1940s Los Angeles to late 1960s San Francisco and centre on the Zodiac Killer case. The claim suggests full production would begin once GTA VI is finished and even floats a possible 2030 window, while also mentioning advances in facial-capture technology to expand on the original’s MotionScan approach. Nothing is officially confirmed by Rockstar, so treat this as a developing rumour rather than fact. NintendoReporters will keep an eye on any official word and what this could mean for players across platforms.
L.A. Noire Sequel After GTA VI?
The current buzz started when an older leak resurfaced online and got picked up by several outlets. The claim links a December 2023 forum post to plans at Rockstar that would put L.A. Noire back in the spotlight after GTA VI wraps up. According to the leak, the follow-up would shift location and era, focusing on late 1960s San Francisco and the Zodiac Killer investigations, with full production slated post-GTA VI and a loose target around 2030. It’s the kind of rumour that grabs attention because it ties a familiar franchise to a notorious real-world mystery, while also promising tech upgrades to facial animation that would echo what made the original stand out back in 2011.
Where the leak came from
The resurfaced claim appears to originate from a user post on a community forum and an earlier anonymous leak. Over time, parts of that leaker’s GTA VI hints have aligned with officially shown features, which is why this older post is getting another look. Community posts and anonymous leaks are a mixed bag; some tidbits can be accurate, others pure speculation. In this case, the leak’s author suggested internal timing and even high-level tech goals, but provided no official documentation. Because the rumour comes via community channels rather than Rockstar’s official channels, it’s reasonable to treat the details as unverified until Rockstar speaks directly.
What the leak claims
Per the resurfaced report, Rockstar would set the sequel in San Francisco during the Zodiac Killer period, pivoting away from 1940s noir to a late 1960s crime-thriller tone. The leak also mentions renewed focus on advanced face-capture and photoreal character work, aiming to push beyond the original MotionScan tech. Production is claimed to begin in earnest once Grand Theft Auto VI is complete, which is framed as Rockstar clearing the studio’s plates before moving on. Finally, the whisper includes a possible internal target around 2030, though that appears speculative and likely contingent on GTA VI’s post-launch cycle and Rockstar’s internal roadmap.
How credible is this rumour?
Credibility sits in the middle ground: the leak resurfaced because that same source made some correct predictions about GTA VI details in the past, which gives followers reason to pay attention. Still, the core claims remain unverified and come from anonymous or community-originated posts, so they lack official confirmation. Corporate signals matter too: Take-Two leadership has said the company is looking at legacy franchises, which keeps the idea plausible, but the line between plausible and confirmed is wide. Until Rockstar or Take-Two issues a statement, this should be treated as an intriguing possibility rather than a concrete plan.
What Rockstar and Take-Two have publicly said so far
Officially, both Rockstar and Take-Two have been careful. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged the company looks at ways to make use of legacy properties and hinted that there’s potential for more with older franchises, but he explicitly said there’s nothing to announce. Rockstar itself has not confirmed a sequel. That’s the standard line when rumours circulate: ownership of an IP makes sequels possible in principle, and occasional executive comments about “looking at” legacy titles keep the door open without committing to anything. The gap between ‘could happen’ and ‘is happening’ is still large here.
Why a Zodiac-era setting could work
The Zodiac Killer case fits a detective structure naturally: multiple unsolved crimes, murky evidence, conflicting witness testimony and a heavy cultural backdrop of the late 60s. For a franchise that built its identity on interrogation and facial nuance, a Zodiac-inspired storyline gives developers plenty of room to explore forensic techniques, moral ambiguity, and narrative tension. It could also allow Rockstar to experiment with tone and setting while keeping the core investigative mechanics intact. From a storytelling perspective, shifting to San Francisco and that era offers atmospheric streets, political unrest and a very different visual palette to the original’s 1940s Hollywood.
What this could mean for Nintendo players and Switch owners
If Rockstar did revive L.A. Noire, platform decisions would determine how and when console owners can play it. The original remaster made its way to the Nintendo Switch in 2017, so there is precedent for Rockstar bringing this IP to Nintendo platforms in some form. Whether a hypothetical sequel targets the Switch family at launch or arrives later as a port would depend on technical ambitions, especially if the project aims for cutting-edge facial capture and photoreal visuals. For Nintendo gamers, the key takeaway is that past Rockstar support for Switch suggests the door is not closed, but high-fidelity ambitions might delay or alter how a version for Nintendo hardware would look and perform.
Timeline and production expectations
The leak places full production after GTA VI completes its development cycle and mentions a possible 2030 target. Timelines in big studios like Rockstar are fluid and often extended, especially when a developer balances massive projects and post-launch live support. Even if internal targets exist, they typically shift as scope and resources evolve. If Rockstar truly waits until GTA VI is well past release and post-launch support, a multi-year gap before a sequel’s release would be normal. That means fans should expect long lead times, possible changes to initial concepts, and iterative decisions as the project moves from early planning to full development.
What to keep in mind
Rumours are a regular part of the gaming ecosystem, and some pan out while many don’t. This claim has details that make it interesting—the setting change, the Zodiac link and the tech talk about face capture—but none of those details are confirmed by Rockstar or Take-Two. Official signals from executives hint the company values legacy IP, which makes a revival plausible but far from guaranteed. For now, the smartest response is patient curiosity: follow verified updates, treat forum leaks cautiously, and enjoy the speculation with a grain of skepticism. NintendoReporters will continue watching for official announcements and platform details that matter to Nintendo fans.
Conclusion
At this stage the idea of an L.A. Noire sequel set in Zodiac-era San Francisco is an enticing rumour with a few loose threads that make it believable enough to follow, but still far from confirmed. A resurfaced community leak has prompted renewed discussion across social feeds and news sites, and corporate comments about legacy IP keep the story plausible without providing proof. If you’re a fan of the original’s interrogation mechanics and moody detective gameplay, the possibility is exciting—but it’s also worth remembering the long lead times and shifting priorities that shape big-studio roadmaps. Keep expectations measured and watch for Rockstar’s official word.
FAQs
- Is this L.A. Noire sequel confirmed by Rockstar?
- No. The claims come from a resurfaced community leak and have not been confirmed by Rockstar or Take-Two; treat the report as unverified.
- Where did the rumour originate?
- The rumour traces back to an older forum/anonymous leak from 2023 that has been circulated again after parts of that source matched later GTA VI details.
- Why is the Zodiac Killer mentioned?
- The leaked details suggest Rockstar might frame a San Francisco-set sequel around the Zodiac investigations because the real case offers multiple mysterious crimes that fit L.A. Noire’s detective gameplay.
- Will the game come to Nintendo platforms?
- Rockstar released an enhanced L.A. Noire on Nintendo Switch in 2017, so a future sequel reaching Nintendo hardware is possible, but no platform or release plans have been announced.
- When could we actually see this game if it’s real?
- The leak hints at a 2030 window, but big-studio timelines are fluid; any date should be treated as speculative until Rockstar provides official confirmation.
Sources
- An old leak claims Rockstar is working on an LA Noire sequel, with the story built around the Zodiac Killer, TweakTown, Sep 28, 2026
- Take-Two Boss Gives Hope For LA Noire 2 And Other Sequels, GameSpot, Apr 28, 2026
- L.A. Noire, Nintendo, November 14, 2017