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''Grand Theft Auto'' ('''''GTA''''') is a Video Game series created and primarily developed by Scottish developer Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design ), published by Rockstar Games and debuted in 1998. It includes eight Stand-alone games and two expansion packs for the original. '' Grand Theft Auto III '' and subsequent games in the series have been best-selling blockbusters which have also gained critical acclaim, including several ''Game of the Year'' awards from various sources. In addition, the series has emerged as being so popular and profitable that a long list of Hollywood stars have lent their voices to the games. Gangster film veterans such as Michael Madsen , Samuel L. Jackson , James Woods , Joe Pantoliano , Frank Vincent , Robert Loggia and Ray Liotta have all voiced major characters. The name of the series and its games are derived from "grand theft auto", a term referring to Motor Vehicle Theft . OVERVIEW The games allow the player to take on the role of a Criminal in a city, typically a lowly individual who rises in the ranks of Organized Crime over the course of the game. Various missions are set for completion by the figureheads of the city underworld, generally criminal, which must be completed to progress through the storyline. Bank Robberies , Assassination s and other crimes feature regularly, but occasionally Taxi driving, Firefighting , Pimp ing, Street Racing , or learning to fly an Airplane are also involved as alternate adventures, which can be done at any time during the game, with the exception of the periods performing main missions. In later titles, notably those released after '' Grand Theft Auto 2 '', the player is given a more in-depth storyline, in which they are forced to overcome an unfortunate event. This served as a motivation for the character to advance in the criminal ladder, and eventually leads to the triumph of the character by the end of the storyline. Furthermore, the storylines tend to intertwine with one another, creating a vast network of associations between people and locations that results in the appearance of certain characters and locales multiple times throughout the series. The ''Grand Theft Auto'' series is notable for the large amount of freedom given to the player in deciding what to do and how to do it through different methods of transport and weapons. Unlike most action games, which are structured as a single track series of levels with Linear Gameplay , in ''GTA'' the player can pick and choose which missions they want to undertake, and their relationships with various powers are changed based on these choices. The vast cities of the games can also be roamed freely at any point in the game, offering many accessible buildings and minor missions. There are exceptions: Missions follow a linear, overarching plot, and some city areas must be unlocked over the course of the game. ''Grand Theft Auto: III'' and subsequent games have been notable for their storylines, high quality of voice acting, and " Radio Station s," which simulate driving to music with satirizing DJs , radio personalities, commercials, Talk Radio , Popular Music , important news breaks, and American culture. All of this is seamlessly integrated in the realistic setting of a dysfunctional urban environment which parodies a real-life city. Players also often cite the music and humor of the series in explaining its appeal. The game's influence on teenagers and adults alike has created a " Cult " scene of GTA fans that see past the merits of the game itself and appreciate the Retro feel and the ''good-old-days'' vibe the game emanates. People remember or imagine the time the games are set in and can enjoy the music, the atmosphere, the fashion, the slang and the cities from their favorite decade, such as the 1980s or the 1990s. The use of vehicles in an explorable urban environment provides a basic simulation of a working city, complete with pedestrians who obey traffic signals. Further details are used to flesh out an open-ended atmosphere that has been used in several other games, such as '''' series, which have less emphasis on crime or violence. Some compare this to open-ended RPGs such as '' The Elder Scrolls '' series, and foresee action games using a similar design. The series has courted a great deal of controversy since the release of ''Grand Theft Auto III''. This criticism stems from the focus on illegal activities, in comparison with "hero" roles that most other games offer. The main character can commit a wide variety of crimes and violent acts while dealing with only temporary consequences, including the killing of policemen and military personnel. Opponents believe that players will try to emulate this behavior, while proponents disagree for a variety of reasons. For specific incidents, see the individual game articles. HISTORY The ''Grand Theft Auto'' series may be divided into eras, based on the inclusion of a numbering after the recognizable title name (e.g. ''Grand Theft Auto III'') after the original '' Grand Theft Auto '''s release, and to a certain extent, the type of Graphics Engine used. For further information on each title, see their respective articles. '' (Windows version)]] ''Grand Theft Auto'' ''''' port, and subsequently two expansion packs were offered: See Also: Grand Theft Auto: Mission Packs
'' (Windows version)]] ''Grand Theft Auto 2'' ''''' port was also produced. ''Grand Theft Auto III'' |
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