By Matija Šerić
When the average person on Earth thinks about the world of video games, they most often picture the action-adventure crime series Grand Theft Auto (GTA). Although hundreds of new gaming franchises have emerged over the past two decades — with hugely popular series like Assassin’s Creed and Mass Effect standing out — GTA has managed to maintain its appeal. Even though many newer game series are high quality and surpass GTA in many aspects, no one has dethroned the “good old” GTA. And that’s no surprise.
A Slow Start
When DMA Design (which later became Rockstar Games) released the original Grand Theft Auto on November 28, 1997, none of the developers realized they were sparking a quiet revolution in entertainment. The game’s main character climbs the ranks of the criminal underworld across three fictional cities inspired by real locations. Unlike most games at the time, the gameplay took place in an open world, allowing players to choose what they wanted to do.
However, many critics found the game boring and tedious. Some even called for bans, arguing it glorified crime. Despite this, the game achieved commercial success. The sequel, GTA II, released two years later, met a similar fate. At the end of the 1990s, the series had not yet gained the renown it would later enjoy — perhaps because the graphics were primitive (2D) and the franchise was ahead of its time.
GTA III: Launching the Series to Stardom
That all changed with the release of Grand Theft Auto III in October 2001. Released on PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox, and other platforms, the game shattered records everywhere. Its success came from offering a fully 3D open world set in Liberty City — a fictionalized version of New York City — where players could immerse themselves.
Players could take on thrilling main missions involving the Yakuza, Triads, and drug cartels. From a third-person perspective, they could roam the vast city freely, playing as thieves, robbers, cops, firefighters, taxi drivers, or even upstanding citizens. Alongside engaging gameplay, players enjoyed a rich soundtrack and impressive visual effects.
Trailer for GTA Vice City
GTA: Vice City — Confirming the Quality
In 2002, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City followed, serving as an enhanced version of GTA III set in Vice City, a fictional Miami inspired by the 1980s. The game drew inspiration from Scarface and Miami Vice. Vice City improved on its predecessor by offering a richer open world, a more developed protagonist (Tommy Vercetti), and new features like motorcycles, helicopters, and property ownership. It remains one of the best summer games to this day. Cruising through Vice City in an Infernus, engine roaring, gunfire in the background, and Michael Jackson playing on the radio — for many gamers, this was priceless.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — Reaching New Heights
October 2004 saw the release of GTA: San Andreas, a title now synonymous with one of the greatest video games ever made. While the franchise had been popular before, San Andreas took it to stratospheric levels. The story was compelling: Carl “CJ” Johnson returns home from prison, investigates his mother’s murder, and rebuilds his old gang.
The game unfolds in a massive open world consisting of three fictional cities — San Fierro, Las Venturas, and Los Santos — based on San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. San Andreas introduced significant improvements: a larger world, RPG elements that allowed character development, a wider selection of vehicles, swimming and diving, gambling, and gang wars. The developers spent nearly two years creating this complex game.
GTA IV — Progress Is Always Possible
The next installment, GTA IV, released in 2008, returned players to Liberty City (New York City) and its neighboring state Alderney (New Jersey). It was another critical and commercial success, thanks to advances like improved graphics, a deeper storyline, better combat, refined driving mechanics, and a more realistic atmosphere. For many gamers, this remains their favorite entry in the series.
Trailer for GTA V
GTA V — The Series’ Peak
In 2013, Grand Theft Auto V was released, with numerous remastered versions following. It built on everything that came before and became the most financially successful game in the franchise, earning $1 billion within the first three days.
Players could control three protagonists — Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips — each with their own unique storylines. The graphics were stunning, and the vast open world included not only the city of Los Santos but also surrounding areas like deserts and oceans. A new feature allowed players to approach main missions in multiple ways.
The Remaster Failure
In 2021, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition was released, featuring remastered versions of GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas. However, due to technical problems, these remasters were poorly received and left fans disappointed. It’s likely Rockstar will issue improved versions of these classics in the future.
The Secrets to Success
Many wonder what the secret is behind the success of this action-adventure crime franchise. One of the main reasons is the open world design. The enormous cityscapes, suburbs, countryside, and wilderness offer players a deep sense of freedom and enjoyment. Each area has its own purpose.
Unlike most earlier games, GTA boldly allowed players to do whatever they wanted without being forced to complete missions. Many players simply enjoyed causing chaos and having fun in the city. GTA pioneered this freedom of choice, which later games like Until Dawn refined.
Decisions and the world players inhabit are quite realistic, with every choice carrying consequences. Players decide whether to be heroes or villains. Meanwhile, a great soundtrack plays in the background. Many in-game radio stations feature a treasure trove of hits. For example, Vice City fans today still love the 1980s music and artists like Michael Jackson, Laura Branigan, Toto, and Iron Maiden. Famous actors like Ray Liotta and Steven Ogg lent their voices to characters, adding extra value.
The Most Iconic Open-World Game
Since its inception, GTA has been an adult game due to violence, cruelty, and sexual content — not suitable for children without parental guidance. The continuous improvement and deepening of the story are key to its enduring success. There have been no truly bad entries in the series (except for weak remasters), which has kept players loyal.
Many gamers today are in their 30s and 40s, nostalgically playing GTA and recalling their childhoods. A strong multiplayer mode attracted many players. For many, GTA’s open world is an escape from reality where they can do things they wouldn’t dare in real life — robberies, theft, gambling, murder, wild driving, and more. Such content naturally attracts controversy. But ultimately, it’s a video game where such actions are allowed.
Because of all this, it’s no surprise that GTA VI will likely be the most commercially successful video game ever, even if it falls short of expectations. In business and entertainment, brand matters — and GTA has that in spades. Other franchises like Mafia, Cyberpunk, and Far Cry offer open-world gameplay similar to GTA, but they lack its iconic brand. Good marketing sells everything, and GTA is the perfect example.
