Grand Theft Auto 1 Intro
0Basic Info
Developer: DMA Design (now Rockstar North)
Publisher: BMG Interactive (later Rockstar Games)
Release Dates:
PC: November 28, 1997 (UK) / February 28, 1998 (US)
PlayStation: December 14, 1997 (UK) / June 30, 1998 (US)
Game Boy Color: November 22, 1999 (censored port)
Platforms: PC (DOS/Windows), PlayStation, Game Boy Color
Engine: Race'n'Chase (original prototype)
Gameplay & Setting
Setting: Three fictional U.S. cities:
Liberty City (New York + New Guernsey/New Jersey)
San Andreas (San Francisco)
Vice City (Miami)
Protagonists: 8 silent criminals (4 male, 4 female), including Bubba, Travis, and Ulrika.
Objective: Earn points via crimes (car thefts, killings, missions) to progress through levels.
Missions: Triggered by answering payphones or entering specific vehicles.
Police System: Wanted levels (1–4 stars) with escalating aggression. Reduce by visiting spray shops or picking up bribes.
Features
Weapons: Pistol, Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Flamethrower (rare).
Multiplayer: LAN/null-modem cable battles (PC only).
Soundtrack: Original radio stations with genres like hip-hop ("Grand Theft Auto" by Da Shootaz), rock, and electronic.
Controversy: Banned in Brazil and briefly in the UK for violence; marketed via controversy.
Expansions & Ports
Expansions:
GTA: London 1969 (1999) – Required original game.
GTA: London 1961 (1999) – Required London 1969.
Port Differences:
PlayStation: Removed train-based missions; less detailed graphics.
Game Boy Color: Censored (no gore/swearing); exclusive character "Kelly."
Trivia & Legacy
Easter Eggs: "Gouranga!" bonus for killing Hare Krishna monks.
Cheat Code: License plate "6031769" (reference to Manic Miner).
Inspiration: Glitch in Race'n'Chase prototype made police chase players aggressively.
Sales: 1 million copies in 1998; 3 million lifetime.
Sequel Setup: Paved way for GTA 2 (1999) and the 3D era (GTA III, 2001).
Notable Quotes
Slogan: "The police are about to have a real bad day."
Official Description: "Drive dozens of varied vehicles around three of America's toughest cities..."
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