The history of Grand Theft Auto
How... topical.
1997 was a benign year for games. Windows was beginning to move towards a usable gaming operating system while the Japanese consumer giant Sony was going from strength to strength with their Playstation console, a machine that was to single-handedly make gaming the mainstream and acceptable past-time that it is today. For both of these platforms to continue their success they would need titles that were noticeable and playable, and fortunately such a title was to barge its way into the public's consciousness at the tail end of the year. And after the ruckus caused by seminal racing title Carmageddon there was a little game called Grand Theft Auto from Scottish developers DMA Design. While it was the violence and subject material which worked the media into a frenzy, it was the freeform, non-linear nature of the first GTA that attracted the actual gamers. GTA allowed players to decide in which order to take on missions, a relatively unheard of concept in an arcade game. On top of that there was all the secret areas, weapons, cars and missions to discover, many of which relied heavily on the freedom the player had to just cruise around the game world. Many of the features that would become so familiar to fans of the GTA series were present in the first game. From the range of tongue in cheek radio stations to the selection of differing vehicles to choose from, everything that was in GTA can be found in GTA: SA. You could even steal garbage trucks and police cars, committing crimes raised your wanted rating and innocent pedestrians were all ambling along, just waiting to feel the bonnet of a speeding car in their back. GTA combined many genres - driving, shooting and adventure - to create an entirely new kind of gaming experience. Not too many games had let you play the part of the baddie before GTA, so the opportunity to play a bad-ass criminal in a freeform city environment was an appeal many gamers could not resist.
Saying this, the tone of the first GTA was not nearly as down and dirty as it would become in later incarnations. Obviously the cartooney two-dimensional graphics played an extremely large part in keeping GTA the right side of humorous. Of course the media didn't see it that way with GTA earning the ire and venom of just about every tabloid - and most broadsheet - editors in the country. Calls to ban the game were plentiful. DMA Design had experienced a tiny amount of this furore before with the Lemmings games (for reasons which seem utterly bizarre these days) but nothing could have prepared them for the full on media assault that GTA was going to generate. Their publishers, Take Two, were quick to capitalise on this. They hired PR guru Max Clifford, a man who has an uncanny ability to make his clients very rich off of press vitriol. His efforts helped to make GTA one of the top selling games of the year. The liberating effects of abandoning strict linearity and morality are still being explored by developers today. The commercial and critical successes of GTA ensured that a follow up would not be a long time coming.
GTA: London - 1999
Set in 1969's London this little number helped to keep the GTA flame burning until the arrival of the proper sequel. As that sequel was released in the same year as GTA: London, this little curio didn't exactly have its work cut out for it. The period setting allowed the design team to incorporate elements of so many classic British films and TV series that the entire enterprise came across as a brashly cheesy spin on the GTA concept. The gameplay elements were the same but this time around the gameworld was meant to represent a real place. Which it did a reasonable job of, in so far as the number of recognisable landmarks involved. GTA: London is an oft forgotten part of the GTA cannon, mostly down to the fact it was so soon eclipsed by the arrival of GTA 2.
GTA 2 - 1999
The third GTA game was the one to get the proper sequel numbering. GTA 2 introduced the concepts of gangs and turf war. There were seven different gangs fighting for control of Liberty City. Setting the stage for things to come, the player could take on missions for the different gangs. But you had to be careful; take on too many missions for one group of thugs and their rivals would shoot at you on sight if you happened to wander into their territory. This time around the police got back up from the FBI, SWAT teams and even the Army, if your crime sprees got too out of hand. The thrill of steaming about in a stolen tank was one of the highlights of GTA 2.
Things went quiet for a while after GTA 2's release. The second title didn't do as well as the first, neither in the eyes of the gamers nor the critics. Many felt it was too similar to the previous titles and as such was released as a budget title not long after its initial release. Around this time the world was slowly adapting familiar genres to exploit the opportunities presented by 3D technology. Many fans hoped that the designers would be able to pull Liberty City into three dimensions but the concept seemed so massive that many thought it an impossible task. Not only were the doubters to be proved wrong, but DMA Designs, now re-named Rockstar North was about to make the popularity and notoriety of the previous GTA titles seem like shoplifting.
Comments
stop teasing us dammit!! get the review for us now!! [you know we cant wait]
GTA:SA, simply put, is the next line of evolution for the Grand Theft Auto series.
It does what its predecessors have done so well in the past. It takes the established greatness that the previous game had, and it works it forward and changes it for the better...evolves it to make it somehow better (though when playing Vice City its hard to imagine something better, SA does it and does it well).
San Andreas is, in its most basic form, Vice City on steroids. It's ridiculously large, half of the first of three cities is as big as the entire Vice City map. It gives you a whole new slew of characters, with great voice acting from numerous great actors and musicians and rappers. It then adds new dynamics to the game.
Whereas in Vice City there was gang war, now you're in a gang and the map will show you the turf from all the gangs in the area. You can start gang wars and get into fights, you can take over turf and offer protection for money. It's a great new dynamic.
I don't want this to run too long, you'll get a great review, but a quick run down of some other things as this comment drags on: new skill system, new stat system, new reputation system, ability to talk with pedestrians, clothing system, tattoo system, physique system, weather system, aiming system, gun system, swimming system, cycling system, climbing system, gang system, food system...I could go on for a page about each and why they were all so perfectly done.
Best console game ever made, thanks for the history lesson Sam...can't wait to read your own personal SA review!
im getting grand theft auto san andreas as soon as i see it in the shops
i got gta sa!! nah nah!!
This game rocks! Much, Mcuh better than the one before by a long way. You will not be disappointed!
About gta3: "Mini-games were a welcome addition to the mix." Actually, gta2 had quite a number of minigames, from the in-game killing spree challenges to the extra levels such as racing, and shooting the ice cream vans.
gta2 is quite good, if you can get over the top-down viewpoint. It even had a great multiplayer deathmatch mode.
It innovated a lot of things that are typically credited to gta3, since that was the first one most people played.
I still play GTA2 multiplayer at LAN parties. Great fun.
"Using the same engine and central character as number three,"
Incorrect, the central character is actually different. Not only has Rockstar stated this but the character looks completely different. GTA3's main character (although I'm quite positive he has no name I've heard many reference him as Tanner) actually has a fleshed out storyline in San Andreas leading to his proceedings in Liberty City.
Im so annoyed that its not coming out for ages on PC
When is going San Anderan for xbox and when Write me back
Is this thread spreading illiteracy or something?
Yeah, I got rid of the worst of them.
You know they have that device now that won't let you drive a car until you give a breath sample (they put them on the cars of previous drink-drivers). Well, someone needs to invent one for PCs that tests IQ.
Well done to those folks who spotted the *cough* deliberate *cough* error in the article. It’s just *cough* my way *cough* of making reading on the internet more of an interactive experience, in keeping with the subject.
Er, the main character in Vice City, Tommy Vercetti, is not the same as the mute guy from GTA3.
gta5KICKS ASSS IM THE BIGGEST FAN IM GONNA GO ON A KILLING RAM PAGE JUST LIKE THE GAME HALIFAX SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15
Hi
GTA is a naughty game it wears I once heard it say the C word and mum said im not ready for it- I agree Its Rated M so I thing you should be over 18 to play it otherwise you are very bad
WTF shut up
So that's how the games got made.
Now tell us how those Rockstar chancers in the designer suits came to be living the high life in London while the poor schmucks in Scotland do all the work....
Yo I Beat GTA San Andreas. With 100% and i think it was a pretty cool game.
its da best
Ilove big jugs
100% GTA im still tring to treet the girls very nice
Who is this new guy in San Andreas were the hell is Vercetti He is Grand theft Auto he was in liberty and vice and then san andreas comes along & they got this new gang wannabe...... Well i geuss it does make sense beens Tommy in Vice city made it to the top and owned the town and what not but still.....
p.s.
They should make a GTA movie with Tommy and this new guy team up and return to Vice... Like Tommy's empire falls and this new guy helps him get it back
San Andreas is said to be the last game of gta is that right because in gta 1 it said london liberty city vice city and san andreas and that was it but i mean they should make another sequel beens like they sell so good.... like Bring BackTommy said GTA: RETURN TO VICE CITY or something( a video game not a movie)
Ive heard rumors of a GTA SIN CITY based in Los Vegas But it was only a rumor.
If they are to make another sequel it will be called Carsar city or whatever they call it... Ive heard it mentioned so many times on the radio in diffrent gta games theres even an add for it in sa!!
ps:the main characters name from gta 3 is Claud
Grand theft auto is the bomb!!!!!!!
Is it going to come out for nintendo DS???
this game pisses me off soooo bad i want to break the damn thing in half.
When and where did Rockstar deny that the main character in GTA:3 & Vice City are the same? I'd like a specific proof of this if you don't mind.
Tommy Vercetti is obviously an older version of the character from GTA:3.
And yes, I understand that Vice City happened during the 80's & GTA:3 during the late 90's. But remember that video games are immune to the effects of anachronisms (just like movies).
ik wil GTA vice city downloaden maar ik weet niet hoe
Where the hell is Tommy Vercetti.On the next GTA have
all three of the main chacters helping each other out in
Liberty City,Vice City, and San Andreas.I'm the biggest fan of all GTA games.Hope you make more.
p.s
if there is going to be more bikes, let people ride on your pegs
Ok some people just do not get it, GTA 1 n 2 are original n there gr8 from my point of vew
there should be more history on the driving by shooting, for it very educational.
im trying to figure out how to recruit gang members it says "respect increased you can now have a six man gang" but i dont know how to do that can someone help
The guy from GTA 3 and Tommy Verceti are NOT the same guy. Isnt that obvius?
Hi i just beet san andreas and vice city plus gta3 to so i would like to know when the next game for gta will come and what is the name of the game
I cant wait for Liberty City on PSP Its gonna rock!
I THINK GRAND THEFT AUTO Sanandrease Beets
all the grand theft auto
Too right in fact I reckon its the best game ever, never mind the best GTA! But were can Rockstar go next? Theres been rumours about GTA Europe though....
lalalala
i think GTA games are the best games PS2 can offer to players and i look forward to play the next GTA game
this game is so cool i love it i just cannot bet it
if R* does mak a new gta vicecity,san andreas and liberty city and all of the main characters and mak that guy from gta3 hav a name and please make him talk. it should have all the gangs come into the different cities.maybe they should call it gta the great war for L.C,V.C and S.A.
GTA series keeps on getting bigger and beter game by game. And the guy from gta3 name is Claude i think just 2 help u out, but my favourite gta is vice city and they should make like a second version and make Vice city alot bigger and more to do within the city because it is not really a big world to explore and they captured the city well and the 1980's. So they could make it alot better and they could do the same do the same to gta3. So their is just more they could do to those games.
i have beatin all the GTA games 100% and im wondering if anyone can tell me if there willl be another sequel!
Hello
DAT vice city idea rocks man who could of think of that they should do dat idea and make it MAYBE on nintendo ds there is no gta on ds
NINTENDO PEOPLE ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS A GTA ON GBA ADVANCE THERE WANT BE ANOTHER ONE THEY AM NOT FOR NINTENDO ONLY FOR PS2 ,XBOX,PC AND PSP
gta is the best game ever no immitators like True crime and driver can beat it PERIOD.
is there a new gta coming out after san andreas
is there a new gta coming out after san andreas
I think that the only reason R* gave the GTA 3 guy a name after GTA SA came out is because people were complaining about how they took out Tommy Vercetti. So they said that the guy from GTA 3 was not Tommy Vercetti and said it was a guy named claude. But I still think the guy from GTA 3 is Tommy Vercetti.
GTA2 is good
I bet All GTA
HELLLO
is there going to be a new gta after san andreas
This is about "Carser City". In the intro, you see Claud Speed, Catalina and a gang guy rob a bank, and then Claud get shot down. This place is apparently "Carser City". Well if you look at the intro really hard, you know study the cars, bank and everything, well if you have heard of "Ghost Town" (ive been there, its really cool!) it is the EXACT same!!! Apart from the fact that it has more buildings. So i do believe there is a Carser City, but why does everyone call it "Ghost Town"? Probly because of the fact that there arent any peds, or that you can go through EVERYTHING! But why not call it Carser City, instead of some computer geek saying "Everyone look for Carser City". Ghost town is actually, the intro, but Rockstar (DMA) had to put it somewhere, so they just shoved it behind Shoreside Vale, i mean where else could they have put it? And they couldnt have deleted it, because that would mean thet there wouldnt be any "Carser City" (Ghost Town) intro.
One thing GTA 3 the guys name is claude, GTA vice city its tommy vercettie they are not the same claude is a mute and how the hell can tommy be young 20 years later just take the fact that they are two totally different people.
how do you get to the airport in gta
This game is good!
GTA Rocksss
when will GTA be made into a movie?
Quentin Tarantino would be the best director.
very fantastic game but gta 5 has very low graphics
how do you run your own gang
To run your own gang in SA you point your gun at a freindly gangster and press the up buton on the D pad but you need enough respect first. No need to thank me...
Thank you all so much for your requests im sure we can put all of them into the new grand theft auto san francisco hope you like it
is claude speed (from the GTA2 MOVIE) really the "claude" form GTA III???? :-)
i have a game
more information
more information
Hope this "Liberty City Stories" kicks ass more than San Andreas... man S.A was tha bomb so i guess this is going to be even better.. cant wait for the game to come to ps2.
pussy games
What happened to Tommy in san andreas?
anybody there?
Is anybody there
just aim at that gang member and click up on the directional pad.
that would be a great game. oh and make the plot better
ofcause, such as,
gta vice city stories
gta liberty city stories and
gta iv 4 ( this one can do anything and every thing )
grand thef auto should be able to travel to difrent states to do diffrent missions and carl,tommy,and some of grove street gang members should collide and side together that would be awsome. though some times they may fight about whos more powerful. one thing would be col to is if they went to sanandrease and vice city pluse a new place
i've never been much of a gamer, the most interesting game i'd ever played was super mario brothers, but i'd caught a glimpse of the gta world when i watched some friends playing it. as soon as i'd gotten my own PS2, i went out searching for a gta game disc and found vice city. i've been hooked ever since. i've since bought and played the others that were available and they've just gotten better and better. i've really enjoyed playing san andreas though. by far it's the best, most realistic of the gta's i've played. i don't know too many young women my age (25) who are so into these games, but i've gotten lots of enjoyment out of them. i hope rockstar keeps these games coming and i hope they keep pushing the limits! movies and tv shows today have content that most age groups shouldn't see, so why pick on the video games?