Grand Theft Auto (computer game)
| Grand Theft Auto | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | DMA design | ||
| Publisher | BMG Interactive | ||
| composer | Colin Anderson Craig Conner Grant Middleton |
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| Erstveröffent- lichung |
MS-DOS, Windows: October 21, 1997 March 27, 1998 PlayStation: December 12, 1997 June 30, 1998 Game Boy Color: October 22, 1999 November 22, 1999  |
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| platform |
Microsoft Windows , MS-DOS , PlayStation , Game Boy Color |
||
| genre | Action game , racing game | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Keyboard or gamepad | ||
| medium | 1 CD-ROM , download , 1 cartridge (GBC) | ||
| language | Audio: English; Subtitle: German | ||
| Age rating |
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Grand Theft Auto ( GTA for short) is a computer game by the Scottish developer Rockstar North (DMA Design until 2001) thatcontains elements of action , racing games and first-person shooters . It was released in 1997 for MS-DOS , PlayStation and later for Game Boy Color . Publisher is the Take-2 - label Rockstar Games . The name isborrowed fromthe US criminal offense of motor vehicle theft ( "Grand Theft Auto" ).
The development started on the Amiga and later continued on the PC due to the outdated technology. Grand Theft Auto marked the beginning of a successful series . The first and second part of the GTA series were temporarily offered by Rockstar Games as a PC version for free download. In the meantime, however, this offer is no longer available.
Gameplay
The game consists of six chapters (i.e. six criminal careers), two of which take place first in Liberty City, then in San Andreas and finally in Vice City. These cities are fictional, but are clearly modeled on the cities of New York City , San Francisco and Miami and also serve as the basis for most of the subsequent GTA parts. In order to successfully complete the chapters, a certain number of points has to be achieved, increasing with each level. This is primarily accomplished through the execution of orders, whereby the clients change with each chapter and sometimes belong to rival bands. In addition, there are some sideline activities to earn money or points, such as selling stolen vehicles on loading cranes or causing chaos and destruction on the streets. A special feature of GTA is the total freedom of movement ( open world ), which was rare in video games at the time , with which the missions or exploring the metropolis can be individually designed.
The game character is navigated through the different parts of the city with a bird's eye view, whereby, in addition to moving on foot, motor vehicles can also be boarded, stolen or kidnapped. In the PC version it is also possible to use a subway or a tram in the cities of Liberty City and Vice City. The controls essentially correspond to the controls of a 2D game: the perspective cannot be changed and the graphics scrolls horizontally or vertically , depending on the direction of movement of the game character. The graphics engine takes into account the third coordinate axis through the perspective distortion of the buildings.
Cutscenes exist between the chapters, but this only results in a partially consistent storyline. The individual orders are sent to the player using text messages. Unlike in the successors, there is no way to save your game progress within the sometimes very extensive chapters.
development
Development of the game began in 1995 under the working title Race'n'Chase . The game concept was developed around the already existing engine and originally envisaged a multiplayer racing game with several game modes, namely cannonball races , crash derby and bank robbery, which would have been played either as a getaway driver or as a police officer. However, it was already clear in the first drafts that the player should be able to move freely in three large cities and also get out and steal cars.
Problems with the stability, the controls and the game mechanics almost led the publisher BMG to discontinue the project.
GTA: London 1969
GTA: London 1969 is an add-on for Grand Theft Auto released in 1999. It adds a new city ( London ) tothe game. This makes it the only GTA game that is set in a real city - even if almost all other cities in the GTA games have real models. In order to play GTA: London 1969 , possession of GTA is required; this must first be inserted into the drive. This check leads to incompatibility with the PlayStation 2.
In addition, a small add-on for the add-on GTA: London 1969 with the name GTA: London 1961 was released for the PC , which all owners of the original version can download for free from the game's homepage.
GTA Collectors' Edition
With the Collectors' Edition , a collector's box was released for the PlayStation in 2003 (NTSC version 2002) , which contains the first two parts as well as the London 1969 add-on and a Rockstar Games sticker. The version of London 1969 included in this edition does not have to check whether you are in possession of the original game and can therefore also be played on the PlayStation 2 and 3.
Web links
- Grand Theft Auto in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Grand Theft Auto 1 at Wikia
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-complete-history-of-grand-theft-auto/a-2008042314506193050
- ↑ Free download of GTA and GTA 2 : http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/
- ^ John Walker: Dailly News: GTA's Original Design Document . Rock, Paper, Shotgun, March 22, 2011.
- ^ Tristan Donovan: The Replay Interviews: Gary Penn . Gamasutra, January 31, 2011.
- ↑ Free download from GTA: London 1961 : http://www.rockstargames.com/gtalondon/