Grand Theft Auto (series)

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a video game series created and developed by Rockstar North (Changed from DMA Design) which debuted in 1997 and published by Rockstar Games. It includes five standalone games, and one expansion pack for the original, GTA: London 1969.

The games allow the player to take on the role of a criminal in a city, typically a lowly individual who rises in the ranks of organised crime over the course of the game. Various missions are set for completion by the figureheads of the city underworld, generally criminal, which must be completed to progress in the game's plot. Bank robberies, assassinations, and other crimes, but occasionally taxi driving, firefighting, pimping, street racing, or learning to fly are also involved.

The Grand Theft Auto series is notable for the large amount of freedom given to the player in deciding what to do. Unlike most action games, which are structured as a single track series of levels, in GTA the player can pick and choose which missions they want to undertake, and their relationship with various powers are changed based on these choices. Players also often cite the music, humor, and "stress relieving factor" of the series in explaining its appeal. The vast cities of the games can also be roamed freely at any point in the game with many accessable buildings.

However, the series has courted a great deal of controversy in its time, as covered in the individual game articles. The contention revolves around the gameplay's focus on illegal activities, in comparison to the "hero" role found in most games.

Series history

The first title in the series, Grand Theft Auto, appeared on the PlayStation and PC in 1997.

There were two expansion packs for the original game:

• Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 for Playstation and PC
• Grand Theft Auto: London, 1961 for PC only

There have been five standalone Grand Theft Auto sequels:

• Grand Theft Auto 2
• Grand Theft Auto 3
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Grand Theft Auto Advance

GTA: London, 1969 was a continuation of the original GTA, except it is set in London.

GTA2 features updated graphics and somewhat different gameplay based upon the player's appeal to various criminal organisations.

GTA3 brought the series into a third-person view rather than the traditional top-down view of earlier titles. The game sold very well, but also attracted heavy criticism for its violent content.

GTA: Vice City is set in the mid 1980's in a city inspired in different ways by the movie Scarface and TV series Miami Vice.

GTA: San Andreas is set in the early-1990s US, and features some of the first attempts at series continuity. Throughout, there are references to previous games, most notably the main character from GTA3 and several posters referring to GTA: Vice City.

Rockstar Games has since released updated copies of the original Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2 as a free download.

Rockstar has announced that work is underway on titles for Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP).

There are also unofficial modding communities who edit the game, adding realistic cars and shops (RealGTA3 ) and have even made online multiplayer versions (see Multi Theft Auto) of both GTA3 and Vice City.

An unofficial version of Grand Theft Auto 3 named Grand Theftendo is under development for the NES.

External links

• Free download of GTA and GTA2 at Rockstar Classics
• Official GTA page by Rockstar Games
• GOURANGA! - GTA series news/info resource
• The GTA Network
• MobyGames' entry on the Grand Theft Auto series
• GTA Central Network