Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Archives

How Big is GTA?

I was a huge fan of the GTA series (before I joined the notorious rat race), as the game allows you to throw off your frustration without causing any real-life trouble. The very first GTA game I ever played was Vice City, which featured the temperamental gangster and criminal mastermind Thomas “Tommy” Vercetti. The controversial gaming series is one of the most popular franchises for gamers due to the nature of the game.

The Gameplay

The basic storyline follows the rise of the protagonist in the criminal world and how he works his way to the top. However, the storyline depends on the time period the game is set in and changes from game to game. The games are split into three distinct parallel universes (2D, 3D, and HD) and are set in fictional caricatures of well-known United States cities like Liberty City – based on New York City, San Andreas – based on San Francisco, and Vice City – based on Miami.

The Acquisitions

The DMA Design Limited released the first game in the cosmos in 1997 and named it – Grand Theft Auto. The game was a huge success, but right after its release, the company was acquired by Gremlin Interactive. After a couple of acquisitions, the company was renamed Rockstar North and became part of the Rockstar Games in 2001. Every game of the GTA series tasted success, but Grand Theft Auto V broke all the records and became the second-best-selling game of all time.

The Universes

The first fictional universe ever introduced by the developing company DMA was 2D-Universe, which features the original Grand Theft Auto, its expansions and its sequel in a 2-dimensional world with a Top-Down Perspective. The 3D-Universe introduced a third-person view of a 3D world, where we can explore the GTA world in a better way. The 3D-Universe of the GTA consists of Grand Theft Auto III and its sequels.

Along with these games, the 3D-Universe also features two non-GTA games, Manhunt and Bully. The last and the latest universe in the GTA series is HD-Universe, which includes six games, an expansion pack for GTA IV, GTA V, and GTA Online. The Liberty City in the HD-Universe appears more detail oriented and extensive than the previous universes. All the universes are separate entities, yet, some characters and their backstories have been cited across universes.

2D Universe – 4 Games

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

Grand Theft Auto 2

3D Universe – 6 Games

Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto Advance

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

HD Universe – 7 Games

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

The Lost and Damned

The Ballad of Gay Tony

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto Online

GTA Controversies

Since the series ‘ first embodiment, GTA and controversies have been anchored in the same package. The action-adventure game is known for its adult nature and violent themes. The first-ever game of the cosmos was banned in Britain, Germany, Brazil and France due to its core. With the arrival of 3D graphics in the GTA-3, the game became more realistic, along with violence, and the controversies hit back to haunt the developers. In GTA-3, players have out-of-the-world options to restore their health, like paying for sexual activities with prostitutes and then killing them to get some of their money back. Not to mention, GameSpy awarded it with the title “Most Offensive Game of the Year”.

The game was banned in several countries due to its portrayal of sexual content, violence against prostitutes and a wide variety of other crimes like killing policemen, military personnel and civilians. Furthermore, when GTA Vice City came into existence, it also came under criticism as it showed a gang war between Haitians and Cubans. The phrase “Kill the Haitian dickheads”, which created the trouble, was altered from the phrase of the game after Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition filed a lawsuit against Rockstar games. When GTA San Andreas was released, it also created a controversy as it featured an interactive sex minigame nicknamed Hot Coffee.

Top 3 GTA Games

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA Online)

The Grand Theft Auto series’s latest and most loved game has everything you could ask for – from a design, storytelling, and technical perspective. GTA V (online) was released in 2013, but even after a decade, it remains trendy and competes with other newly released identical games. Set in a fictional Los Angeles called Los Santos, the game offers three playable protagonists – Trevor Philips, Michael De Santa and Franklin Clinton, each with a different perspective and distinct background.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

When Rockstar Games released GTA San Andreas on PS2 and Xbox, it was a breathtaking moment for every single gamer. The city was based on Los Angeles and other areas, while the story follows the journey of a former gangster Carl “CJ” Johnson, who returns home and pulls back to his infamous gang following his mother’s murder. The game was one of the most stylish and enjoyable games ever released, thanks to the well-created characters, dialogues, and sound design.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Sometimes, I think, maybe, I repeat, maybe, the guys who have developed the GTA franchise over the years have a significant influence of Tony Montana on them. Hope, you have seen Al Pacino’s cult classic movie Scarface; if not, go on and have a shot of it first and then play GTA Vice City. The game was released in 2002 and takes you back in time to 1986. The lead character of Vice City, Tommy Vercetti, looks like a 3D characterization of Tony Montana.

Top 5 GTA Characters

Carl “CJ” Johnson
Trevor Philips
Tommy Vercetti
Niko Bellic
Michael De Santa

Top 3 GTA Games & why is the GTA gaming series popular amongst gamers?

Top 3 GTA Games

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA Online)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Top 5 GTA Characters

Carl “CJ” Johnson
Trevor Philips
Tommy Vercetti
Niko Bellic
Michael De Santa

Why is the GTA gaming series popular amongst gamers?

Opulent Storyline

All the games that came under the three universes of Grand Theft Auto are loaded with a powerful storyline and unforgettable characters, which keeps games returning to the game, even after they have finished all the missions. The game allows you to buy supercars and commit crimes that you can’t afford and do in real life. The multiplayer game also allows you to speed up as much as you want, buy a jet, speedboat or perhaps anything you want.

Stressbuster

In one of our articles, “The Psychological Benefits of Gaming in the Workplace”, we’ve already discussed how playing video games helps players develop problem-solving and spatial skills. The Grand Theft Auto franchise enables players to have a better mood by allowing them to do whatever they want, whether walking on the beach, running like a maniac, having a few drinks, riding a superbike or taking a dog on an evening walk.

Excellent Graphics

Do you know what makes a game popular? Outstanding Marketing and Quality Graphics! Every game of the Grand Theft Auto cosmos offers top-notch graphics, and sometimes, you get the sensation of viewing an actual city. The world portrayed in the GTA games, especially in the games released after GTA Vice City, is very appealing – the people walking around, the placement of the buildings, and all the objects appearing real, making the game a treat to the eyes.

Controversies

We know publicity is always upright for businesses, be it negative or positive, it’s definitely going to bring the people to you. Everyone who plays video games is aware of Grand Theft Auto’s existence, as it is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. The game was, is and will be a part of controversies, which makes Rockstar Games’ life easier than ever. They don’t have to promote the game, as the controversies surrounding it create hype among people.

Fantasy World

Who doesn’t want to live their life on their terms? Everyone wants to have fun in their way, especially teenagers, but not everyone can afford to live on their terms. When you can’t go out and do whatever you want, you turn back and play Grand Theft Auto, as the game allows you to do almost everything and live a fantasy life. Nobody cares when you get busted, you can have the fanciest homes, weapons, cars, boats and everything under the sun.

Good Ol’ Days! – Top 8 games only 90s kids would relate to

Being born in the 90s has its perks. We’ve lived happily in a time of no mobile phones or huge desktops and witnessed the evolution of smartphones or slim laptops throughout our teenage years. Thankfully, we’re probably the last generation who spend more time playing outside than inside, but we’re also the first ones who played video games, which makes us guileless culprits.

Super Mario Bros.

As adults, we can go through every difficulty to save our beloved person, but where do we learn these tactics for dealing with the complications? Of course, from our favourite Italian-American plumber Mario, who goes through every level dealing with different enemies on the way, only to save his princess. Thanks to Mario and his fraternal twin brother Luigi, who helped every sibling to have a happening childhood.

Contra

I’ve seen siblings fighting over while playing Super Mario Bros, but I’ve seen the same siblings teaming over while playing Contra, and the reason, you know it. Set in the 27th century, the game was a story about two soldiers named Bill Rizer and Lance Bea going to war against the alien invaders seeking to destroy the Earth. The series debuted in February 1987 and had a lot of young fans during its peak.

Virtua Cop 2

I remember the day I bought my first computer and eagerly awaited to install Virtua Cop 2, one of my favourite games to date. The game features three levels where you’ve to kill many opponents of the E.V.I.L. Inc. organisation without taking hits or shooting hostages (who react in a hilarious way). Every level ends with a boss battle and one extra final boss battle. Those were the days!

Duck Hunt

The shooter game was quite trendy in India during the mid-2000s, and kids used to fake cry in front of their parents only to have a Duck Hunt cassette in their homes. The video game was developed and published by Nintendo for the first time in 1984, and it was one of the first video games that came with a physical gun called – the NES Zapper to help you shoot ducks that appear on the screen.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, or, in short, GTA: Vice City, is the game that influenced school kids to bunk school and brought them to the nearest cyber cafes. The fourth main entry in the GTA series was an adventure ride set in 1986 within the fictional Vice City and follows the rise to power journey of the mobster Tommy Vercetti. Thanks to the cheat codes, which always came in handy whenever we were in trouble.

Cricket 07

Back then, the craze of cricket was not limited to the T20s. When we were kids, we played cricket outdoors and indoors, thanks to EA Sports, who developed and published the game. The game was massively popular among the cricket-playing nations as it offered many spectacular features like creating a new player with attributes, limited overs matches (50, 20, 10 or 5 overs), 4-day first-class matches and full-length test matches.

Road Rash

Born in the 90s and haven’t played Road Rash yet? Only a fool will fall into the trap of your words. Road Rash was one of the best motorcycle racing video games of the 20th century as the game offers to punch, kick and steal weapons while racing and how could you forget the epic battle between racer and patrol police? The last game of the series was released in 2009, Road Rash (Java), and with that, the epic racing journey halted for good.

Project IGI – I’m Going In

Nowadays, every kid is obsessed with PUBg, but back then, it was Project IGI. The tactical first-person shooter video game was popular among teenagers but received mixed reviews from critics due to poorly programmed A.I. and the lack of multiplayer features. The game was loved by the players for its sound design and graphics, thanks to the game engine software.

Rockstar Games is Tipped to be Working on Remastering of Its PS2-era GTA Trilogy

One of the world’s most popular video game publishers, Rockstar Games, is tipped to be working on at least 3 remakes or remasters of its PS2-era classic Grand Theft Auto Trilogy- Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. According to the latest leaks by tipsters, the three games have reportedly reached the final scenes of development.

The rumours of remastering were in the air for a few months, and recently Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive confirmed the future plans but didn’t mention the exact titles. Since then, the gaming community from the world is excited to experience the yet-to-be launched games, and all the leaks related to the plan is grasping positive attention towards Rockstar Games’ GTA series.

The GTA trilogy games are being remastered using the Unreal Engine and will retain the same classic style. Also, a few reports suggest the games could be heavily modified versions of the existing titles. As per the reports, the titles mentioned above are expected to release on seven platforms, including the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and portable Nintendo Switch by the fourth quarter of 2021.

The above mentioned three games are expected to be launched in one single digital bundle instead of multiple launches. If the three remastered versions of the GTA trilogy games scores well in the market, then the New York-based company Rockstar Games is planning to release the remastered version of the original Red Dead Redemption.

If you’re a mobile gamer, you have to wait till 2022 as the mobile version of the three games will see the light of the day next year. Also, the company hasn’t announced anything officially about the remastered titles and taking a close look at Take-Two’s library of games, the three unannounced remasters could cover anything from Bioshock to Bully or Max Payne.