It was first released for PC, PlayStation and GameBoy in October 1997. The first version of the game was set across three fictional cities in the US. Such was the impact that many outlets called for an outright ban of the game as it was percieved to be too violent. As a player you had to choose a mission to progress and GTA had everything - from car chase, racing, underworld characters - that makes a game exciting to play.
Two years after the rip-roaring success of GTA, GTA 2 was released. The game now moved to a single city but retained all the other elements. The first version had three cities: Liberty City (based on New York), Vice City (based on Miami) and San Andreas (based on San Fransisco). GTA was set in a fictional city called "Anywhere City".
By the time the third version - GTA III - rolled out in 2001, the game went into 3D mode and was criticised by a lot of people for glorifying violence. But that didn't affect the popularity of the game. In a 3D universe, the third-person camera, unlimited car-stealing and hidden rewards; and other features made it one of the most popular titles of the franchise.
A year later GTA: Vice City came out and had celebrity appearances in the game. Ray Liotta's voice featured in the game whereas Phil Collins was also a part of the game. In fact, over the years many celebrities including Samuel L Jackson, Dennis Hopper and Guns'n' Roses frontman Axl Rose, all have been a part of the game.
In 2004, GTA: San Andreas was released and was lapped by gamers all over the world. This edition saw BMX backflips and the sighting of mythical Big Foot. The graphics and gameplay kept on getting better and GTA continued to dominate gamers' mindspace.
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There were a few follow ups to GTA III which really didn't work out. It lacked the excitement and felt like forced extensions. But all that changed in 2008 with Grand Theft Auto IV. It introduced online multiplayer to the series and had fantastic gameplay. GTA was back with this variant and broke sales records in the UK and US.
GTA V came out in 2013 and got a record number of pre-order sales of 2.5 million. Set in the fictional city of Los Santos, the game featured the characters who work together on a series of missions. It was reported in May 2017 that GTA V had sold more than 80 million copies around the world.
The gaming industry, in the last 20 years, has undergone a sea change. Games have come and gone; franchises were built and went in the ground and the platforms have seen a widespread change but there is one thing that has remained consistent: the popularity of Grand Theft Auto. The game that reigns supreme and remains the undisputed champion of action adventure games.
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