With GTA 6 close on the horizon, the history of Grand Theft Auto serves as a clear record of how Rockstar Games has repeatedly reshaped open-world gaming. From the top-down criminal freedom of the 1997 debut to the massive live-service environment of GTA Online, each era of the franchise has pushed technical and structural boundaries.

The DMA Design Era: 1997–1999

Back in 1997, Rockstar North operated under the name DMA Design when it released the original Grand Theft Auto for the PS1. The top-down crime game was set across three locations: Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas. The focus on crime drew immediate controversy, including debates in the House Of Lords, though the game was never banned.

In 1999, Rockstar Canada released Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 as an expansion pack, which received a standalone physical release in the UK. Later that year, the fully fledged sequel Grand Theft Auto 2 introduced core staples that persisted through the series, including a health bar, manual saving, side missions, vehicle modding, and numerous hidden collectibles.

The 3D Transition: 2001–2004

Grand Theft Auto 3 arrived in 2001 as the final game developed under the DMA Design name, shifting the franchise into full 3D on the PS2. Featuring a voiced script with actors like Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Madsen, it became the best-selling game of the year.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City followed in 2002 with a curated 1980s licensed soundtrack, neon visual design, and a cast featuring Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti. In 2004, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas expanded the map size significantly beyond Liberty City and Vice City combined, operating without open-world loading screens while introducing stealth, wall-climbing, swimming, character customization, and RPG-style skill progression.

Spin-Offs and Handheld Releases: 2005–2009

Between major console entries, Rockstar released portable titles. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories debuted as a PSP exclusive in 2005 before coming to PS2 in 2006, followed by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on PSP and PS2 in 2006. In 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars brought a top-down perspective back to the Nintendo DS and PSP.

HD Era and Live Service: 2008–Present

Grand Theft Auto 4 launched in 2008 for the PS3, introducing a detailed Liberty City alongside functional in-game phones, television programs, narrative choices, and the ability to ride in cabs. Two expansions, The Lost And Damned and The Ballad Of Gay Tony, followed for Xbox 360 in 2009 and as a standalone PS3 package in 2010.

Grand Theft Auto 5 arrived in 2013, eventually receiving ports across multiple console generations including a PS5 release in 2022. It introduced three playable characters, an optional first-person perspective, complex heists, and the massive map of San Andreas. Launched a month later, Grand Theft Auto Online expanded into a persistent live-service platform supporting up to 30 players with continuous updates, business management, and multiplayer modes.

Quick Facts

  • The original Grand Theft Auto was released in 1997 for the PS1 by DMA Design.
  • GTA: San Andreas was the first title in the series to introduce swimming and character customization.
  • GTA 5 received an updated version for PS5 in 2022.
  • GTA Online supports up to 30 players in a single session.