Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is an action-adventure video game series created by David Jones and Mike Dailly, with later titles overseen by brothers Dan and Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies, and Aaron Garbut. Developed primarily by Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design) and published by Rockstar Games, the series debuted on November 28, 1997. Its name comes from the US legal term for motor vehicle theft.

The gameplay focuses on open worlds where players complete story missions and engage in side activities. Core mechanics involve driving and shooting, with occasional stealth and role-playing elements. The series is set in fictional cities modeled after real locations across different time periods, from the 1960s to the 2010s. The original game featured three cities: Liberty City (New York), San Andreas (San Francisco), and Vice City (Miami). Later titles typically focus on one setting, expanding on these original locales. Each game follows different protagonists rising through the criminal underworld, often dealing with themes of betrayal. Notable voice actors include Ray Liotta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Phil Collins.

The series is split into three fictional universes based on graphics capability: the 2D universe (original GTA, its expansions, and GTA 2), the 3D universe (GTA III and sequels), and the HD universe (GTA IV, its expansions, and GTA V). Each universe is separate, sharing only brands and place names. As of 2020, the series includes seven main titles and four expansion packs. The landmark 2001 release Grand Theft Auto III brought the series into 3D and influenced countless open-world games, leading to the term 'GTA clone.'

The franchise has shipped nearly 470 million units, making it one of the best-selling and highest-grossing media franchises ever. All main 3D entries are frequently ranked among the greatest video games. In 2006, GTA was featured in a BBC/Design Museum list of British design icons, and in 2013, The Telegraph ranked it among Britain's most successful exports. The series has also sparked controversy for its adult content and violence. [edit]

Grand Theft Auto games are built around open-world environments that give players freedom to roam and interact with the world. Missions advance the story, but players can also explore, steal cars, and cause chaos. Core mechanics include driving a wide variety of vehicles and using firearms in third-person combat. The series incorporates RPG elements like character stats and stealth mechanics, as well as side activities such as racing, property management, and mini-games. The Euphoria animation system, used in GTA IV and V, adds realistic character physics and ragdoll effects.

Multiplayer has been a key component since the original, which started as a cops-and-robbers concept called 'Race 'n' Chase.' Grand Theft Auto Online, the persistent multiplayer mode of GTA V, won a BAFTA for Best Multiplayer and supports up to 30 players in a shared world with heists, races, and free-roam activities. [edit]

The series follows different protagonists in each game, all trying to climb the criminal ladder. The original 1997 game featured eight characters across three cities, taking on jobs for gangs. The 1999 expansion Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 shifted to the Swinging Sixties with period-appropriate music and eight new protagonists styled after British archetypes including Michael Caine pastiches, Mods, Sid Vicious, and super spies.

Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) tells the story of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European ex-soldier who moves to Liberty City after his cousin Roman promises a life of luxury, only to find Roman has lied. Niko gets drawn into the city's underworld while seeking revenge for his past. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) innovated with three playable protagonists: retired bank robber Michael De Santa, street hustler Franklin Clinton, and psychopathic Trevor Philips. Their intertwined stories offer multiple perspectives on heists and survival in modern Los Santos. [edit]