Grand Theft Auto 3: A Revolution in Open-World Games
GTA 3 is a video game that introduced Rockstar Games to the global stage as a promising video game developer and marked the beginning of their path to success. Released in 2001, this open-world action-adventure game was a continuation of Grand Theft Auto 2. The series transitioned to 3D for the first time, leaving a mark in history.
Grand Theft Auto 3 became the best-selling game of 2001, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim. It also pioneered a whole new genre of open-world games with action and adventure elements. This article provides a detailed exploration of what made the game so exceptional at that time.
GTA 3 offered revolutionary features. However, the game is often overlooked in discussions about the 3D Universe trilogy compared to Vice City or San Andreas. Yet, many fans often forget that those titles would not have been possible without Grand Theft Auto 3. The game offers an open world full of action and adventure, with the player taking on the role of a criminal.
Players commit numerous crimes, earning money while having the freedom to explore the game world and wreak havoc outside of missions. The game provides a vast arsenal of weapons, from ordinary pistols and melee weapons to rocket launchers and flamethrowers. Vehicles also play a significant role in the game, just like in the previous 2D games. They serve as a means of traveling from one place to another, allowing players to undertake various missions. Open-world games were not something new at that time, but what made GTA 3 so unforgettable was the world it depicted. The game is set in Liberty City, which is based on real-world New York, and the game world was meticulously crafted to offer a sense of vibrant life.
Rockstar Games achieved this effect by creating diverse and independent characters, landmarks based on real locations, and even radio programs that provided the history of the city and its residents. The city feels dark and gritty, using gloomy colors, visual filters, and ambient sounds to make the game world dynamic. Different districts, whether industrial, residential, or commercial, have distinct characteristics that can be immediately recognized.
While creating this world, the game’s creators also went for over-the-top caricatures of almost everything and everyone. Various radio advertisements and themed programs, brands and locations, and even some characters are stereotypes or parodies. This later became characteristic of the entire GTA series, setting it apart from other open-world games.
Rockstar Games created its own game universe, and subsequent games such as Bully or Manhunt take place within this world. This is in stark contrast to games like True Crime: Streets of LA or even Driver, which were released in the early 2000s.
This led to the creation of a subgenre of games by Grand Theft Auto, characterized by exploring open-world environments in a modern setting with the ability to use weapons and vehicles.
GTA 3 had such a profound impact on the gaming genre that even games like Driver, which came before it, are now considered GTA clones, many of which ultimately did not succeed. However, it was also controversial. This was primarily due to the freedom it offered players, who could cause mayhem if they so desired. The game itself encouraged players towards violence, particularly during missions, as it was part of the fun associated with the open world.
In subsequent GTA installments, the creators ventured into different eras: the 90s (San Andreas) or the 80s (Vice City). Both games followed the same approach as Grand Theft Auto 3, creating a living, breathing game world. The radio stations in GTA Vice City, along with the setting, are still considered incredibly nostalgic.
In summary, Rockstar Games’ success stems from the worlds they created and the freedom they offer. Therefore, the success of GTA 3 can be attributed to Liberty City with its comedic characters, dark atmosphere, and countless available activities. Rockstar has become a master of world-building, and it all started with this game.
