From 1997's Grand Theft Auto to GTA 6: The evolution of gaming’s biggest crime series
When the first Grand Theft Auto arrived in 1997, there was little indication that the top-down driving game would evolve into one of the defining series in entertainment. Developed in Dundee by DMA Design, the studio that would later become Rockstar North, the game offered something unusually permissive. Players could steal cars, work for criminals and abandon their objectives to simply cause…
The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, which began in 1997, has evolved into one of the most iconic and influential franchises in gaming history. Developed by DMA Design, later known as Rockstar North, the original game, named Race 'n' Chase, focused on players taking on the roles of criminals or police officers. The final product allowed players to navigate through three locations - Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City - with a top-down perspective and considerable freedom in their actions.
The game's controversial nature led to political criticism, which further enhanced its identity. Although GTA London 1969 and London 1961 were released as expansions, no subsequent installment has been set primarily outside the US. GTA 2 introduced a more sophisticated gang system and an industrial setting, while GTA 3 revolutionized the series with its fully three-dimensional open world.
The success of GTA 3 paved the way for subsequent titles like Vice City and San Andreas, which further expanded the series' scope and scale. These games were known for their distinctive settings, richly detailed worlds, and emphasis on player freedom, which set the foundation for the open-world gaming genre that dominates the industry today.
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