The unofficial guide to Grand Theft Auto- find everything you need to know inside, including the history and evolution of the iconic game.
Editor’s Note
The Unofficial Guide to Grand Theft Auto 2025
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How It All Began
Top-Down Action • The first Grand Theft Auto experience was a top-down, mission-driven action game, where the player had the freedom to explore multiple open cities. The GTA series has consistently used fictional cities inspired by real-world locations, such as Liberty City (New York City), San Andreas (initially San Francisco, later expanded into a state), and Vice City (Miami). These names have been carried forward into future titles. While some missions are sequential to advance the main storyline, the games often allow players to choose from multiple available missions, emphasizing nonlinear gameplay and player freedom.
New Expansions • The year 1999 was pivotal for the future of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar North, already part of Take-Two, acquired the franchise, solidifying its development direction. Meanwhile, GTA 2 was already in the works, and two expansion packs for the original game had been released. These expansions were significant because they were some of the earliest examples of downloadable content (DLC) in the gaming industry, and they paved the way for how future GTA games would approach expansions and additional content.
Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto III Going 3D
A Real Open World
The PS2 Effect
Full Throttle With Vice City
Going Montana
Recognition • Vice City was praised for its exceptional writing, balanced gameplay that blended freedom, missions and territory expansion, and its transformative impact on gaming. It evolved from appealing to a niche market to becoming a cultural touchstone in the mass market, solidifying the franchise as a standout in the industry. GTA had some amazing chapters over the years, with Vice City being in the Hall of Fame as one of the best games ever made.
When ‘Hot Coffee’ Knocked on the Door
Big Expectations
Role-Playing CJ
Adults Only
The Handheld Period
GTA Advance
Liberty City Stories
Return to Vice City
Going High Definition
Console Wars
Hostile Takeover
GTA V & GTA VI: 12-Year Gap
Collaboration Success
The Live Service
What’s in Store …