The Grand Theft Auto Series: A Look at the Popular Video Game Series
Introduction
Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is one of the most popular video game series in the world. It has been around since 1997 and has spawned several sequels, spinoffs, and even a movie adaptation. The series focuses on the criminal underworld of cities and is known for its open-world gameplay, mature themes, and complex storylines. This article will take a look at the history of the series, its impact on the gaming industry, and its ongoing popularity.
History
The first game in the series, Grand Theft Auto, was released in 1997 for the PlayStation and was developed by Rockstar North (then known as DMA Design). The game was an instant success and spawned two sequels in 1999 and 2001. The series then transitioned to the PC and Xbox with Grand Theft Auto III in 2001. This game was a major breakthrough for the series and helped to popularize the open-world genre of gaming. Since then, the series has released several more games and spinoffs, including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Grand Theft Auto V.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The Grand Theft Auto series has had a major impact on the gaming industry. It has been credited with popularizing the open-world genre of gaming and has inspired many other games, such as Just Cause, Saints Row, and Sleeping Dogs. The series has also been praised for its mature themes and complex storylines, which have pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable in video games.
Ongoing Popularity
The Grand Theft Auto series is still going strong today. The latest installment, Grand Theft Auto V, was released in 2013 and has sold over 110 million copies worldwide. The game has spawned an online version, Grand Theft Auto Online, which has been equally successful. The series is also set to return to the PlayStation 5 with a remastered version of Grand Theft Auto V.
Conclusion
The Grand Theft Auto series is one of the most popular and influential video game series of all time. It has popularized the open-world genre of gaming and pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable in video games. The series continues to be successful, with Grand Theft Auto V selling over 110 million copies and the online version, Grand Theft Auto Online, being equally successful. There is no doubt that the Grand Theft Auto series will continue to be a major force in the gaming industry for years to come.