GTA 5 Developers Canceled a Secret Feature
As the eager anticipation for GTA 6 continues, an interesting detail has emerged about the previous game in the series, GTA 5. A data miner discovered a feature in the game files that had been tested before release but was canceled. This feature was called the “Handholds” system, which would have allowed players to climb more objects.
The “Handholds” System Canceled in GTA 5
According to data uncovered by Lucas7yoshi_RS, a file named “handholds.xml” was used to define whether certain objects in the game were climbable. This system would have made objects like pipes, poles, and walls usable. However, the file only contains test points, indicating that the feature has not been fully implemented.
Another striking detail was the “oddly positioned poles” seen in content creator whatever57010’s video. It’s believed these poles were originally used during testing but weren’t completely removed by the development team. Therefore, the location of some objects players have noticed for years may be due to this canceled feature.
The data miner’s analysis uncovered not only the climbing system but also various details about NPC behavior. For example, the files contain unique interactions, such as homeless NPCs insulting Michael and Franklin and asking for money, while Trevor simply saying hello. Similarly, muscular NPCs greet Michael with insulting remarks but being more friendly towards Franklin.
These hidden features of GTA 5 once again reveal the series’ meticulous attention to detail. Players are eager to see if the canceled climbing mechanics will be implemented in GTA 6. While no official announcement has been made, such discoveries reveal many features Rockstar tested but failed to complete during development.
