Introduction to the GTA Series

 

The major 3D titles in the franchise since GTA III with included expansion packs

One of the most successfully video game franchises to date

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) video game franchise by Rockstar Games, formerly DMA Design, has been around for more than 25 years since 1997 and is one of the most popular triple-A title video game franchises in the world. It is an action-adventure game series with seven stand-alone titles and four expansion packs (as of 2020). The first two releases GTA (1997) and GTA II (1999) were both open world, top-down view games played from a third person perspective and both achieved commercial success. 

However, when GTA III was released back in 2001 it was phenomenal and unlike anything ever really seen in the history of video games. It is an open world game and allows players to virtually move any where in 3D space both on foot and to a large extent, in a variety of in-game vehicles. To date, it is largely considered by many game developers and others to have revolutionized the 3D gaming industry and spawn a new era of 3D titles that we have come to know today.

In 2002 Rockstar Games followed up with "GTA Vice City" (loosely based on Miami city), another major turning point in the franchise. It brought some new features to the already wide variety found in GTA III. The ability to fly helicopters and planes and sail boats between cities was added, New weapons and better physics were added to the already excellent story-telling in game.

Up next in 2005, came another big leap and huge commercial success, "GTA San Andreas". All feature from "GTA Vice City" were built upon and some really cool things like the ability to workout in the gym and see your body grow bigger muscles over time was added!. The ability to get hungry, lose weight, eat food and gain weight were there too. The map was massive for an open-world game of its time an allowed players freedom to explore every corner.

The next entry in the series took the action to Liberty city again as with GTA III. This time in much more glam and detail with GTA IV in 2008. The city was much more detailed and much closer to the present day real world New York City with its sprawling subway and metro system, more life-like pedestrians walking and having conversations, to better collision damage and more realistic physics. This installment is arguably the one with the most true to life driving mechanics.

GTA V in particular being so extensively marketed and widely anticipated at its time of release back in 2013,  broke industry sales  records and went on to become the highest grossing entertainment product of all time and to date is the second best selling video game of all time behind Minecraft,(Mojang Studios), selling over 175 million copies. It was another landmark game similar to GTA III upon release. A whole new world was explored and brought to life not only on land but below the ocean too! You could dive and explore the corals and plant life below the ocean surface, use diving gear, and even see the beauty down there with a small submarine no to mention go on some treasure hunting!

In February of 2022, Rockstar Games confirmed development of what is slated as the eight major Grand Theft Auto game in the franchise following GTA V and overall, its sixteenth installment. Following years of speculation and leaks the company finally announced the news. In September last year a major leak, considered to be the biggest in the history of the video game industry occurred online where footage from an unfinished version was posted on several sites. 

Details are still unconfirmed but some reliable sources on the web say the game is said to finally give players the option of playing as a female protagonist. It is also said that the map will be a reworked, much more detailed Vice City (Miami City). There is still speculation of a release date somewhere in late 2024 early 2025, as the project is classified as still in development by Rockstar Games. More on this as details are revealed in the near future.