Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto

ASC Games, BMG Interactive, Take Two Interactive
Release date: 1997-10-21 | Platforms: PC, GAME_BOY, PLAYSTATION1, GAME_BOY_COLOR.

Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure game with an isometric view, the first installment of the Grand Theft Auto series.

Location and plot

The game takes place in 3 different cities, each one resembling real-life counterparts such as Miami, New York City and San Francisco. The world of the game is only restricted by traveling from one city to another, while the cities themselves are free to explore. The plot is expressed in the form of various missions, where the playable character receives general instructions through a phone call, or otherwise.

Gameplay

Each mission in the game has a set goal of in-game points, awarded for successful completion of mission’s requirements, and sometimes causing mayhem for the sake of it. Completion of these missions allows the player to move on to more difficult tasks, and eventually, another chapter in other cities. The player often has to steal vehicles, sell them for profit, perform roadkills and escape the police, as the number of attempts for each mission is limited.

Graphics and reception

The game features a simplistic style for graphics, sacrificing different animations and sprites in favor of just being fun to play. At the time of release, in late 1997-1998, Grand Theft Auto offered unique arcade gameplay with an open world, where players could do anything they wanted, which, of course, was the key to overwhelming success of the game.

Background

DEVELOPERS

Background for Brian Lawson
Brian Lawson

Brian Lawson

writer

Brian Lawson is a games writer. Lawson has been working with Gearbox Software, Rockstar North, Rockstar Games and 3D Realms. Lawson's first published game was Grand Theft Auto released in 1997. Then, Brian Lawson went on to work on Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City as the writer. Most recently, Brian Lawson was involved in the development of Duke Nukem Forever.

Background for Paul Farley
Paul Farley

Paul Farley

designer

Paul Farley is a games designer. Farley has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Farley's first game was Grand Theft Auto published by Take Two Interactive for PC, PlayStation, Game Boy Color and Game Boy in 1997. Next, Paul Farley worked on Wild Metal Country taking on the role of designer. The latest work of Paul Farley was Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, published in 2009.

Background for Ian McQue
Ian McQue

Ian McQue

artist

Ian McQue is a games artist. McQue has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. McQue started in 1997 as the artist of Grand Theft Auto. Then, Ian McQue went on to work on Grand Theft Auto 2 as the artist. The latest work of Ian McQue was Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, published in 2009.

Background for Keith R. Hamilton
Keith R. Hamilton

Keith R. Hamilton

director,programmer

Keith R. Hamilton is a games director and programmer. Hamilton has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Hamilton's first published game was Grand Theft Auto released in 1997. Then, Keith R. Hamilton went on to work on Grand Theft Auto 2 as the programmer. The latest work of Keith R. Hamilton was Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, published in 2009.

Background for Colin Anderson
Colin Anderson

Colin Anderson

composer

Colin Anderson is a games composer. Anderson has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Anderson's first published game was Uniracers released in 1994. Next, Colin Anderson worked on Grand Theft Auto taking on the role of composer. Afterwards, Colin Anderson worked on Grand Theft Auto 2 developed by DMA Design in 1999. Most lately, Colin Anderson worked on Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.

Background for Stephen Banks
Stephen Banks

Stephen Banks

designer

Stephen Banks is a games designer. Banks has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Banks's first published game was Grand Theft Auto released in 1997. Next, Stephen Banks worked on Grand Theft Auto 2 taking on the role of designer. Afterwards, Stephen Banks worked on Mobile Forces developed by Rage Software in 2002. Most lately, Stephen Banks worked on Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.

Background for Billy Thomson
Billy Thomson

Billy Thomson

designer

Billy Thomson is a games designer. Thomson has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Thomson's first game was Grand Theft Auto published by Take Two Interactive for PC, PlayStation, Game Boy Color and Game Boy in 1997. Next, Billy Thomson worked on Grand Theft Auto 2 taking on the role of designer. Thomson also worked on Crackdown developed by Realtime Worlds for Xbox One and Xbox 360. Most lately, Billy Thomson worked on Crackdown 2.

Background for Craig Conner
Craig Conner

Craig Conner

composer

Craig Conner is a games composer. Conner has been working with Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, Rockstar Toronto and DMA Design. Conner's first published game was Grand Theft Auto released in 1997. Then, Craig Conner went on to work on Wild Metal Country as the composer. Later, Conner also was part of the team who developed Manhunt 2 published by Rockstar Games for PC, PlayStation 2, PSP and Wii. Most recently, Craig Conner was involved in the development of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.

Background for Billy Thomson
Billy Thomson

Billy Thomson

designer,programmer

Game designer and creative director. Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto 2, Mobile Forces.

Background for David Jones
David Jones

David Jones

producer

David Jones is a games director, producer, designer and programmer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Jones has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Rockstar North, Rockstar Games and Deep Silver. Jones started as the designer of Battalion 1944. Next, David Jones worked on Jetpac taking on the role of director. Afterwards, David Jones worked on Lemmings Touch developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2014. Most lately, David Jones worked on Draconia.