New Open-World Crime Game on Steam Could Keep You Busy Until GTA 6 Releases
Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most-anticipated game of the year. Even though 2026 is set to be the year that Rockstar’s new game launches, it still won’t be until November 19. At this point, that feels incredibly far away. Thankfully, Steam could have the answer. Baron is an upcoming crime game that takes the GTA formula and takes it to a brand-new country: Turkey. For the most part, the Grand Theft Auto franchise has been focused on America. Baron is aiming to change that, though. The game may not be out just yet, but it’s gearing up for a Steam launch in just two months.
The game is set to launch in early access on March 26, but there’s already a demo available to download in the meantime. Baron’s Steam page boasts being the first realistic RPG set in Turkey, and it’s setting is an exciting change of pace from Grand Theft Auto‘s usual cities. GTA 6 is taking the franchise back to Vice City, which is thrilling. However, Baron could offer something fresh, since GTA has maintained the same locations throughout the series.
Confirmed Features for Baron
- Realistic open world map
- Set in Ankara, the capital of Turkey
- Choice-focused gameplay that affects the story
- Rising through the ranks to build a crime empire
- Fully voiced characters
- Character levels and skill upgrades
- Day and night cycle
- Underground black market
- Third-person and first-person options
- Cinematic cutscenes
Baron Takes the Heart of Grand Theft Auto and Puts it in a Compelling New World
Setting Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and1961 aside, the Rockstar series has a deeply American energy. Turkey completely flips those expectations, introducing a world with a much different culture. Baron is already promising plenty of features that are Turkish staples. The city of Ankara will be brought to life via street vendors and realistic neighborhoods. Statues of country founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and mosques throughout the city add even more immersion. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has put a bright spotlight on many aspects of American culture, so getting that same spotlight on Turkey is bound to be fascinating. It also presents a learning opportunity to experience a culture through gaming.
Recently, ex-Rockstar dev Obbe Vermeij confirmed that there were once even plans to bring GTA to other countries. A Grand Theft Auto game set in Tokyo actually almost went into production. This obviously never came to fruition, though. There were once other countries considered alongside Tokyo, too. Vermeij revealed that cities that almost got GTA spin-offs were Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, and interesting enough, Istanbul, which would have taken the series to Turkey. Perhaps Baron is the closest Rockstar fans will get to experiencing what that game could have been like.
Baron’s Story Sees its Protagonist Rising Through the Ranks on a Quest for Revenge
Baron‘s main character is Alparslan, and he’s on a mission to seek revenge for the murder of his parents. Fueled by vengeance, Alparslan works to take down Ankara’s mafia. It’s not exactly a new kind of story, but it’s definitely a classic. There is no shortage of revenge stories in video games, and Baron seeks to take the trope and give it a compelling new take. Even though Alparslan is working to gain success and revenge, the way he approaches these goals will affect the surrounding city. Choices matter in Baron. Players can choose a path defined by mercy or revenge, and it could either ensure Alparslan’s success or demise. GTA 6‘s story is still really mysterious at the moment, but it may share similarities with Baron.
After losing his parents at a young age, Alparslan takes a stand against a corrupt mafia regime to protect his neighborhood and uncover the truth behind his father’s murder. But this is only the beginning…
GTA 6 protagonists Lucia and Jason look like they’re on a similar path as Alparslan, just without the revenge part. The two trailers that Rockstar has released seem to be teasing a story of starting from the bottom and rising to the top by any means necessary. This parallels Baron‘s story quite well. This could prove to be a great way to prepare for GTA 6‘s similar plot. The two also seem different enough that there will be a sense of familiarity while also having their own identity and tone. Rising to the top only to fall is a long-running storytelling trope, and for good reason. An Icarus moment is almost always compelling. So far, it really looks like GTA 6 is setting up Lucia and Jason for this kind of moment. Depending on a player’s choices, Baron‘s story has the potential to unravel this way, too.
Baron is a GTA-Like That Hasn’t Been Done Yet, and That Alone Makes it One Worth Checking Out
There have been a lot of games through the years that have tried to capture Rockstar’s magic. Plenty of GTA-likes have come and gone. Some have actually been really solid, too. Franchises like Watch Dogs and Saints Row have come close, but GTA has ultimately reigned supreme. Last year’s Mind’s Eye was a compelling take on the formula that ultimately wasn’t able to deliver on its promise, but it’s still an example of how many developers want to take what Rockstar does and make it in their own image. Games like GTA are rare. Of course, it will be incredibly difficult for Baron to reach the high bar that Rockstar has made, but it could still prove to be a fun experience.
Think of Baron as the B-Movie Answer to GTA 6’s Blockbuster
The game is also being made by a single person. According to Baron‘s Steam page, developer Fatih Dorttepe is taking on the project all on their own, which isn’t an easy feat. Based on early footage and images from the game, it looks like Fatih has done a solid job at crafting a world as sprawling as the city of Ankara. An indie take on a series as over-the-top and big-budget as GTA is definitely intriguing. Finding games to play before GTA 6 presents plenty of options. Baron could be one of the few new releases that feels close to it, though.
With its drama-filled story and setting that aims to immerse players in Turkish culture, Baron could be well worth keeping an eye on. There’s always the possibility that another GTA 6 delay could be announced this year. That hopefully doesn’t happen, but just in case — it’s best to take note of other GTA-likes to keep busy in the meantime.