Released in 2001, Grand Theft Auto III was developed by DMA Design before it rebranded into Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. The game was a pivotal title that transformed open-world gaminmg and set new standards for interactive entertainment.

Overview

Historical Context

Before GTA III, the first two Grand Theft Auto games were primarily top-down titles, released in 1997 and 1999.

The idea for GTA III was conceived by DMA Design. The developers, under the leadership of Obbe Vermeij, aimed to create an expansive, interactive world that offered players unprecedented freedom and choice. The setting for this ambitious project was Liberty City, a fictional metropolis inspired by New York City.

Development Process

Transitioning to 3D posed numerous technical challenges. The development team had to create a fully realized city with a complex traffic system and non-playable characters (NPCs) that interacted in realistic ways.

To achieve this, they utilized Criterion Software's RenderWare engine, which helped facilitate the rendering of large environments.

Aside from the shift to 3D, GTA III introduced a narrative-driven approach with a silent protagonist named Claude. The game's storyline revolves around themes of crime, betrayal, and revenge, effectively engaging players with its cinematic presentation. It also incorporated voice acting, radio stations, and an eclectic soundtrack for better immersion.

Release and Reception

After being initially developed for the SEGA Dreamcast1, GTA 3 was released on released on October 22, 2001, for the PlayStation 2. It was later ported to PC and Xbox. It was a commercially successful and critically acclaimed title that cemented Rockstar as a leading developer in the industry. It also set a new standard for open-world titles, with its sandbox-style gameplay inspiring developers to create more interactive and expansive virtual worlds.

GTA 3 was followed by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, making up the mainline GTA titles that are part of Rockstar's HD Universe.

GTA 3 was later re-packaged and bundled with GTA: Vice City and GTA: San Andreas as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, developed by Grove Street Games and Video Games Deluxe.

References

  1. https://www.gtaboom.com/OG_Rockstar_Dev_Has_Good_News_for_GTA:_Vice_City_Dreamcast_Port, OG Rockstar Dev Has Good News for GTA: Vice City Dreamcast Port.