There was a “Grand Theft Auto” (GTA) game before “Grand Theft Auto III.” The first game in the series, simply titled “Grand Theft Auto,” was released in 1997. Developed by DMA Design, which later became Rockstar North, it established the basic concept of the series but was significantly different from the later 3D titles like GTA III.
Key aspects of the original “Grand Theft Auto” include:
- Top-Down Perspective: Unlike the 3D open-world format of the later games, the original GTA featured a top-down, bird’s-eye view of the game world.
- Gameplay: Players engage in various criminal activities, such as car theft and missions for crime bosses, to earn points.
- Setting: The game featured three fictional cities, inspired by real-life locations: Liberty City (based on New York City), San Andreas (based on San Francisco), and Vice City (based on Miami).
- Freedom and Violence: Like its successors, the original GTA was known for its open-ended gameplay and the controversy surrounding its violent and criminal content.
The storyline of the original “Grand Theft Auto” (GTA) game, released in 1997, is relatively simple compared to the more intricate narratives found in its successors. Here are some key points about the storyline and gameplay:
- Basic Premise: The game doesn’t have a traditional narrative structure with a detailed plot and character development. Instead, the focus is on the gameplay experience of being a criminal in a large city.
- Player’s Role: Players assume the role of a small-time criminal who aims to rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld. The game doesn’t feature a named protagonist like later titles in the series (e.g., Claude in GTA III).
- Missions and Progression: The storyline progresses through the completion of various missions. These missions are given by different crime bosses in each city and involve activities like assassinations, delivering contraband, and other criminal endeavours.
- Multiple Cities: Players can explore and complete missions in three different cities – Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas. Each city unlocks as the player accumulates a certain number of points.
- Points System: The game uses a points-based system for progression. Players earn points by completing missions, causing destruction, and engaging in various criminal activities.
- Non-linear Gameplay: While there are missions to complete, players have the freedom to explore the cities and engage in activities at their own pace, which was a novel concept at the time.
- Endgame: There isn’t a traditional ending to the game. The goal is to accumulate a set number of points to unlock all the cities and complete all the missions.
The original GTA’s focus was more on creating an open and interactive world with a criminal theme rather than delivering a detailed story. This approach set the foundation for the series, which evolved significantly in terms of narrative complexity in its later entries.
This first game laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most successful and influential series in gaming history. Despite its more primitive graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to the later 3D entries in the series, “Grand Theft Auto” was notable for its innovative approach to open-world game design.
