A supporter exploring the leaked source code of *Grand Theft Auto V* has discovered what seems to be an initial prototype of the lead character from Rockstar’s scrapped espionage game, *Agent*. This finding was shared over the weekend on the GTA Forums and is part of the ongoing examination of the *GTA V* source leak that surfaced in 2023.
The user, XanaBax, highlighted that among the character models pulled from the *GTA V* source code, one particular model—a soldier in combat attire—was not part of the game. While other models were verified as components of *GTA V*, this specific asset pointed to its ties with *Agent*. Further probing uncovered that this model was located in a folder titled “Jimmy,” a name thought to be the code designation for *Agent*. Its categorization under a hierarchy labeled “Player” strongly implies it was meant for a primary character role within the game.
The model under discussion seems to evoke Niko Bellic, the main character of *GTA IV*, and closely matches prior leaked images from over ten years ago. Significantly, this character model has never appeared in *GTA V* or *GTA Online*, reinforcing the theory that it illustrates an early version of the lead character from *Agent*.
Further investigation of the source code by XanaBax traced this model back to 2009, two years following *Agent*’s initial teaser by Rockstar. The filename included the term “NorthRig,” indicating that *Agent* was indeed under development by Rockstar North, the studio responsible for the *GTA* series. This timeline is consistent with the narrative surrounding *Agent*, which was ultimately shelved and then canceled in 2018 when its trademark expired.
### The *Agent* Timeline
The story of *Agent* commenced at E3 2007, where Sony revealed a collaboration with Rockstar Games to create a PS3-exclusive title. In 2009, during Sony’s E3 presentation, Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser confirmed *Agent* as a long-aspired project for the company. By the end of that year, Rockstar hinted at a possible release as early as 2010.
In 2011, leaked visuals related to *Agent* appeared online, posted by a former environmental artist from Rockstar North. The excitement mounted even more when the PS4 was unveiled in 2013; this spurred many to speculate about *Agent*’s move to the next-gen console. However, Shuhei Yoshida, then-president of Sony Worldwide Studios, dodged inquiries about the game, suggesting it was not within his range of responsibility.
As the years progressed, Take-Two, the parent entity of Rockstar, renewed *Agent*’s trademark several times, yet public disclosures about the game dwindled. In 2018, the trademark eventually lapsed, and by 2021, the official website for *Agent* was dismantled. In 2023, insights from a former Rockstar developer revealed that *GTA V* and *Agent* were both being developed simultaneously at Rockstar North. However, the requirement for additional resources for *GTA V* resulted in *Agent* being sidelined, ultimately leading to its quiet cancellation.
The narrative of *Agent* remains one of the most puzzling chapters for gamers and Rockstar enthusiasts. The recent discoveries in the *GTA V* source code offer a tantalizing insight into what might have been, adding to the fascination surrounding a title that has become a mysterious footnote in the timeline of video game development.
