The World of GTA

By Safraz Khan

In the mid-1990s, the video game industry was evolving rapidly. Gamers wanted more freedom, bigger worlds, and games that didn’t just follow a linear path. Among many titles being developed at the time, one stood out—raw, ambitious, and unlike anything before. This was the beginning of what would soon become Grand Theft Auto, better known today as GTA.

The story of GTA began in Dundee, Scotland, where a small game development studio called DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North) was experimenting with new ideas. Originally, they weren’t trying to build a massive open-world crime game. The concept began as a simple top-down racing game called “Race’n’Chase”, where players would control a vehicle and either play as a cop or a criminal.

Interestingly, the original intention was to promote law and order. Players were supposed to chase down criminals and stop crime. But during development, something unexpected happened—the criminal side of the game turned out to be far more fun. Testers enjoyed stealing cars, escaping from cops, and creating chaos far more than playing by the rules. This discovery changed everything.

The developers decided to shift focus, making the player take the role of a criminal instead. This was a bold and risky move. At the time, few games allowed players to commit virtual crimes, let alone glorify them. But DMA Design believed in the fun factor and pushed forward.

In 1997, the first version of Grand Theft Auto was released for MS-DOS, Windows, and later for PlayStation. It featured three fictional cities based on real ones: Liberty City (New York), San Andreas (San Francisco), and Vice City (Miami). The game had a top-down 2D view, and despite its simple graphics, it gained attention quickly. Why? Because it gave players something rare in gaming: freedom.

Players could choose missions, or ignore them. They could drive any car, cause mayhem, run from police, or just explore the city. This open-world approach was revolutionary. The freedom to act however you wanted, with no set path, made GTA both addictive and controversial.

Of course, the game didn’t go unnoticed by the media. Critics complained about the violence, criminal behavior, and bad language. But controversy only fueled its popularity. Players loved it. It became a cult hit.

Behind the scenes, the team that created GTA was small but passionate. Names like David Jones, the founder of DMA Design, and later Sam and Dan Houser, who helped shape the franchise under Rockstar Games, were crucial in building the identity of GTA. They weren’t afraid to challenge norms, take risks, and let the player break rules—in the game, at least.

Over time, the vision grew. What started as a 2D game of cops and robbers became a symbol of freeform gameplay. GTA’s birth was more than just the release of a new title—it marked the beginning of a new gaming era.

The success of the first GTA laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic and bestselling game franchises in history. From the gritty streets of Liberty City to the sun-soaked beaches of Los Santos, it all started with a simple idea: let the player do whatever they want

As word spread, GTA quickly became a hot topic in gaming communities. It wasn’t just a game—it was a conversation starter. Was it too violent? Was it encouraging bad behavior? Or was it simply giving players a chance to experience a fictional world with no limits?

The developers stood by their creative freedom. They clarified that the game was never about promoting crime, but about simulating choices—just like movies or novels do. And players agreed. GTA offered something unique: a sandbox, a digital playground where actions had consequences but were entirely the player’s decision.

The popularity of the original game led to expansion packs like GTA: London 1969, and eventually, developers realized they had something much bigger in their hands.

That early risk—switching the game’s focus from police to criminal—was now paying off in ways no one could’ve imagined. It was the birth of a legend