One title. Three words. Multiple sequels and expansions. Over 405 million in sales. "Grand Theft Auto" has risen from relative obscurity to earn a spot on the Mt. Olympus of great game franchises. 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of the year "Grand Theft Auto" was released.
Believe it or not, back in 1997, there was no fanfare, no stampede to Circuit City or a Virgin Megastore or whatever now-defunct retailer sold the title. It was just a "cult" hit—but one that would go on to revolutionize video games.
The Table of Contents
From Cult Hit to Cultural Landmark
So here's looking at the humble beginnings of this cultural landmark through to its current success, and why it's just as crucial to gaming now as it was then.
The Humble 1997 Original
Really, it's no surprise that "Grand Theft Auto" was a slow burn. It was originally released only for MS-DOS before being ported to Windows and, eventually, to the Sony PlayStation. The graphics were crude, and
the sandbox level design was about on par with environments seen in '80s portable video games. Comparing the later games in the series with the first is like comparing a neighborhood go-kart race to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. It's that stark a difference.
Despite GTA's aesthetic drawbacks, one theme has drawn gamers in and continues to do so over the last two decades: unfettered violence. It was a new angle on the action/crime genre, one that let players take their id out for a walk and let it rampage.
GTA's famous violence and gameplay were clear in this first version. You could jack cars, listen to radio stations, and use a wide range of firearms. There was also a phone-based mission system, plus the freedom to pillage environments. "Grand Theft Auto" had three main locations that shaped future games. These were Liberty City (like New York), Vice City (like Miami), and San Andreas (a mix of places in California and Nevada).
Building Underground Credibility
Because there was no great fanfare or marketing push for GTA's initial release (not like today, anyway), gamers had to discover the title. The low sales back then don't matter. The four years between GTA 1 and GTA 3 helped the franchise build something more valuable: underground credibility.
It earned a reputation as "that game" some kids had played, but all wanted to play. By the time GTA 3 launched in 2001, gamers were eager. Yet, even the biggest fans of the original didn't see the revolution coming.
GTA III: The Revolution Arrives
When "GTA 3" hit shelves, Rockstar had arrived. The company took full advantage of the PS2 engine to deliver the series's first 3D game. This sequel chose a third-person open world over a sandbox setup to offer a fully immersive experience. It parachuted gamers into a Liberty City where anything goes. Mobsters ruled the city. It was filled with pimps, hookers, dealers, tweakers, and all sorts of shady characters.
Every factor was top-notch, from the game mechanics and sound design to the characters and voice acting. "GTA III" won many year-end awards. It is still seen as a key release of the 6th-generation console era. Many consider it one of the greatest video games ever. To date, it has sold over 16 million copies.
The Sequels That Defined a Generation
With "GTA 3," Rockstar became known for valuing fan engagement and taking risks. They built on this with the 2002 sequel, "GTA: Vice City." This game had funny nods to "Miami Vice" and "Scarface." Players
also got to explore larger worlds. These worlds were full of bright pastels and neon lights.
Rockstar built on great gameplay and kept its high standards. This includes character development, music, and voice work. This was evident in the sequels. "GTA: San Andreas" introduced the memorable protagonist CJ, whose appearance was customizable. "Grand Theft Auto IV" features Niko, an Eastern European immigrant exploring Liberty City. Finally, we returned to San Andreas in "GTA V."
The Controversy That Followed
Just as GTA's sterling reputation followed it from sequel to sequel, so too did controversy. "Grand Theft Auto" caused a small uproar upon its release in 1997, in part due to its "cop killing" aspect, and 2001's "GTA III" was banned in Australia. "Vice City" also ruffled feathers for, among other things, the in-game ability to pick up prostitutes. (Not sure if moral crusaders thought this was better or worse than stomping a digital prostitute to death in the middle of a city street). By the time "Grand Theft Auto V" was released, the conversation had shifted (slightly) away from gratuitous violence to misogyny in video games.
The Critics Aren't Always Wrong
One interesting thing about all the hullabaloo caused by "GTA" is this: its critics aren't always wrong. Across the franchise, Rockstar has packed more blood, guts, and immoral behavior than most studios could in 1,100 games.
It's also true that most of the women in the series fall into one of two categories: official prostitutes and unofficial prostitutes. If those who backed Gamergate learned anything, it's that the gaming world is a big boys' club. Often, these boys are bitter and spend too much time in their basements. They can hate women just as much as they desire them.
But everything, from the game itself to the uproar surrounding it, helps make "GTA" as vital as it is. It will never be the game Millennial college students feel comfortable playing in their "safe spaces." (And don't even bother trying to count the near-limitless number of "microaggressions" on hand in just one "GTA" title.)
As much as your typical bigot needs to learn that the "otherness" of people isn't something to be demonized, the youth of today need to realize that they aren't entitled to go through life without ever being offended. If "Grand Theft Auto" helps illuminate this fact, even a little, then it's doing the Lord's work.
Why GTA Will Endure
But what will always legitimize the series above all else is the sheer creativity behind the operation. Rockstar has proven that they know what they're doing, so don't be surprised if we see a strong female protagonist in a future GTA title.
Shakespeare often wrapped up his tragedies with mass murder, beheadings, and murder-suicides. Greek tales were even more violent and twisted than that. Whether GTA will be viewed 500 years from now, as we view "Hamlet" today, remains to be seen. But I'll guarantee one thing: a censored Grand Theft Auto won't be remembered at all.
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