LA Noire 2 rumors are circulating after a 2023 GTA 6 leak resurfaced. Here’s what we know about a potential San Francisco-set sequel and the Zodiac Killer story.

Rumors of an LA Noire 2 have exploded across the internet this week. The sudden chatter traces back to a resurfaced 2023 GTA 6 leak that mentioned Rockstar’s next game would be an LA Noire sequel set in San Francisco, targeting a 2030 release.

But is there any truth to it? Let’s examine the evidence.

TL;DR

• A 2023 4Chan leak resurfaced, claiming Rockstar’s next game after GTA 6 is LA Noire 2, set in San Francisco with the Zodiac Killer as the central story
• Rockstar acquired Video Games Deluxe (now Rockstar Australia) in 2025 — a studio full of ex-LA Noire creatives, including director Brendan McNamara
• Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in April 2026 that the door is open for LA Noire’s return if a passionate team exists
• No official announcement has been made. Rockstar has not confirmed anything

Why Is LA Noire 2 Trending Right Now?

LA Noire 2 is trending because a 2023 GTA 6 leak resurfaced over the weekend.

Eagle-eyed fans dug up an old 4Chan post that revealed details about GTA 6 that have since been confirmed. The leak correctly predicted the game’s relationship mechanic and the fact that Rockstar originally planned four protagonists before settling on two.

That track record is why people are paying attention to its other claim: that Rockstar’s next game is an LA Noire sequel set in San Francisco, releasing in 2030.

The rumored story would center on the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It’s a compelling setting for a crime drama — rich with unsolved cases, period detail, and psychological tension.

Is the 2023 GTA 6 Leak Credible?

Partially. The leak contains confirmed information, but that doesn’t validate every claim.

Here’s what the leak got right:

Leak Claim	Status
GTA 6 originally had four protagonists	✅ Confirmed by Rob Nelson
Relationship mechanic in GTA 6	✅ Confirmed
GTA 6 set in Leonida/Vice City	✅ Confirmed
LA Noire 2 in San Francisco by 2030	❓ Unverified

The leak was posted on 4Chan, which is not a reliable source. However, the confirmed details suggest the poster had access to legitimate internal information — or at least a very accurate summary of it.

That doesn’t mean the LA Noire 2 claim is true. It means it’s worth investigating.

What Evidence Supports an LA Noire 2?

Several factors suggest Rockstar is at least considering a return to the franchise.

1. Rockstar Acquired the LA Noire Team

Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, the director of LA Noire. The studio worked on the LA Noire VR port and was acquired by Rockstar in 2025.

It was renamed Rockstar Australia.

The studio is comprised of ex-LA Noire creatives. McNamara himself is a renowned storyteller. It seems unlikely that Rockstar would acquire this team just to have them support GTA 6 indefinitely.

2. Take-Two Has Expressed Interest

In April 2026, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick was asked about LA Noire’s future.

“Broadly, we’re looking at doing something in the future with all of our intellectual property,” he said. “There’s nothing to announce on LA Noire specifically… But in any case, with regard to our legacy IP, the teams are always looking at what we have and we’re always thinking about it. The question is, at any given time, do we have a team that’s passionate about working on that?”

That’s not a confirmation. But it’s not a denial either.

3. Rockstar Has Invested in LA Noire Before

LA Noire was the second Rockstar game (behind GTA 5) to be ported to Xbox One and PS4. That raised eyebrows, given fans were more interested in Bully, Red Dead Redemption, or GTA 4.

A VR version was also released. That’s an unusual level of investment for a game that isn’t a proven franchise.

4. Rockstar Teased a Sequel in 2012

During a fan Q&A in 2012, Rockstar said: “Don’t count out the possibility of a new game in the LA Noire franchise in the future. We simply have not decided anything. We’re all very pleased with how that game turned out and are considering what the future may hold for LA Noire as a series.”

They added: “We don’t always rush to make sequels, but that does not mean we won’t get to them eventually — see Max [Payne] and Red Dead for evidence of that.”

What Evidence Against an LA Noire 2?

There are significant obstacles to a sequel.

1. Team Bondi Dissolved

LA Noire was developed by Team Bondi, not Rockstar internally. The studio dissolved shortly after release following reports of poor working conditions and mismanagement.

Without Team Bondi, a sequel would need to be built from scratch by a different team.

2. GTA 6 Will Consume Rockstar’s Resources

GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026. It’s expected to be the biggest entertainment launch in history. Rockstar will support it with updates, online modes, and post-launch content for years.

That leaves little bandwidth for side projects.

3. The McNamara Factor

Brendan McNamara’s reputation is complicated. Reports from Team Bondi’s development suggest he was difficult to work with. Whether Rockstar wants to put him in charge of a major project is unclear.

4. The 2030 Date Is Speculative

The 2030 release window comes from an unverified 4Chan post. There’s no official timeline. Even if LA Noire 2 is in development, it could be years away.

What Would LA Noire 2 Look Like?

If the rumors are true, it would be a period crime drama set in San Francisco during the Zodiac Killer investigations.

The Zodiac Killer case is one of the most famous unsolved crimes in American history. Between 1968 and 1969, the killer murdered at least five people in the San Francisco Bay Area. He sent cryptic letters and ciphers to newspapers, taunting police.

The case was never solved.

For an LA Noire sequel, this setting offers:

• Rich period detail — late ’60s San Francisco was a cultural flashpoint
• Unique crimes — the Zodiac case involves codebreaking, media manipulation, and psychological terror
• Moral complexity — the killer was never caught, which creates narrative ambiguity
• Detective gameplay — interrogation, evidence gathering, and deduction all fit naturally

It’s a perfect fit for the LA Noire formula.

What Has Rockstar Said Officially?

Rockstar has not commented on LA Noire 2 rumors.

Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick addressed legacy IP broadly in April 2026, but did not confirm any specific project.

“If there were [something to announce], it would be Rockstar announcing it, not me,” Zelnick said.

Rockstar’s focus right now is entirely on GTA 6. The game launches in less than two months. Any other project would be secondary.

When Could an LA Noire 2 Release?

The rumored release window is 2030.

That timeline makes some sense. GTA 6 launches in 2026. Rockstar will support it with online content for years. If they started a smaller project in parallel, 2030 would give them roughly four years of development.

But that’s speculation. No official date exists.

The Verdict

LA Noire 2 is a rumor, not a confirmed project.

The evidence is circumstantial. Rockstar acquired the team that made LA Noire. Take-Two has expressed openness to revisiting legacy IP. A leaked GTA 6 document mentioned it.

But there’s no official announcement. No confirmed development. No release date.

For now, treat LA Noire 2 as a possibility — not a certainty. Rockstar’s focus is on GTA 6. What comes after will depend on bandwidth, timing, and whether the right team is passionate about it.

FAQ

Q1: Is LA Noire 2 confirmed?
No. Rockstar has not announced LA Noire 2. The rumors stem from an unverified 2023 leak.

Q2: Where did the LA Noire 2 rumors come from?
A 2023 4Chan leak about GTA 6 resurfaced. It mentioned LA Noire 2 set in San Francisco with a 2030 release.

Q3: Is Rockstar making LA Noire 2?
Unconfirmed. Rockstar acquired Video Games Deluxe (now Rockstar Australia), a studio full of ex-LA Noire creatives, in 2025.

Q4: What would LA Noire 2 be about?
Rumors suggest it would be set in San Francisco and center on the Zodiac Killer.

Q5: When would LA Noire 2 release?
The rumored release window is 2030. No official date exists.

Q6: Did Take-Two say anything about LA Noire 2?
CEO Strauss Zelnick said the door is open for legacy IP if a passionate team exists. He did not confirm a specific project.

Q7: Who would develop LA Noire 2?
Likely Rockstar Australia, led by Brendan McNamara, the original LA Noire director.

Q8: Is the 2023 GTA 6 leak reliable?
Partially. It correctly predicted several GTA 6 details, but that doesn’t validate every claim.

Q9: When does GTA 6 release?
GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.