The Rockstar (GTA) Character That Was Removed Due to 9/11

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the entertainment industry underwent significant changes, with many films, TV shows, and video games being altered to remove references to terrorism or elements that could be considered insensitive. One such case involved Rockstar Games, which had to delete a character from Grand Theft Auto III before its release.

Who Was the Deleted Character?

Rockstar originally included a character named Darkel, a homeless revolutionary who would have given the player missions involving chaos and destruction in Liberty City. According to early reports and leaks, Darkel’s missions allegedly involved large-scale destruction, including tasks that could have been interpreted as references to terrorism. Given the sensitive climate after 9/11, Rockstar decided to remove Darkel entirely from the game, along with some of his missions.

Other Changes Made Due to 9/11

Darkel wasn’t the only change made to GTA III because of 9/11. Several other elements were altered, including:

• Removal of a mission involving a plane crashing into a building.
• Changing police cars to remove their resemblance to NYPD vehicles.
• Altering pedestrian dialogue to remove references to terrorism.

These changes were made just weeks before the game’s release on October 22, 2001, demonstrating Rockstar’s responsiveness to global events.

Did Darkel Ever Return?

While Darkel was cut from GTA III, his voice actor, Bill Fiore, still appears in the game’s credits, leading to speculation that the character was removed late in development. Some players have even uncovered remnants of Darkel’s data in the game files, though Rockstar has never officially commented on the full scope of his intended role.

Although Darkel never made an official comeback, his concept may have influenced later Rockstar characters, such as the anarchists in Red Dead Redemption 2 or certain factions in GTA IV.

Legacy of the 9/11 Changes in Gaming

The removal of Darkel is one of many examples of how the video game industry had to adapt after 9/11. Several other games, including Metal Gear Solid 2 and Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro, were also altered to avoid references to real-world events. Rockstar’s decision to modify GTA III ensured that the game remained a landmark title while being sensitive to the tragedy that had just occurred.

Even decades later, Darkel remains one of the most intriguing lost characters in video game history.