Nearly twenty years after its initial release, the fan-made Back to the Future: Hill Valley mod for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City continues to receive updates on PC, with developers transitioning the project to open source in late 2024.

Quick Facts

  • Platform: PC (requires the original 2003 release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, not the Definitive Edition).
  • Latest Release: Version 0.2g, launched in November 2024.
  • Project Status: Open-source code available via GitHub, with ongoing porting efforts toward Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Features and Current Development

Originally launched in 2008 as a six-hour time-jump project, BTTF: Hill Valley has evolved into a comprehensive total-conversion modification for the 2002 game engine. Players using the 2003 PC version of GTA: Vice City can operate the DeLorean time machine, hit 88 miles per hour, and use time circuits to travel between eras with seamless transitions and no loading screens. Additional vehicles include a flyable DeLorean and a playable Time Train.

The 0.2g update introduced custom vehicle creation, remote-controlled driving, and a specialized dimension accessed when the time machine sustains damage. Sound designer Archer confirmed that interior button and window sound effects were recorded inside a real DeLorean, with audio assets continually refined from DVD and 4K source releases.

Porting to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Developers Carlos85G and Delorean88us confirmed that work remains ongoing to port the mod to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The team cited the larger map size and richer modding ecosystem of San Andreas as primary drivers for the expansion, allowing for better utilization of the flying time machine mechanics compared to the flatter geography of Vice City.

With the project now operating as open source on GitHub, code contributions are accessible to the wider community. While the team acknowledges the future arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI and potential PC release cycles, developers Mini-Me and DragonKing noted that future integration depends on Rockstar Games' modding limitations, data encryption, and tool availability.