The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series has been praised since its release in 1997 for its expansive open-world settings that let players explore large cities while maintaining their own distinct identities. Each city in the GTA series is a parody of a real-world metropolis, and the game has long been noted for its sarcastic perspective on American culture. In this post, we’ll examine how cities function in the Grand Theft Auto games and how their success has been influenced by them.
1) Liberty City:
The setting of Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto III, and Grand Theft Auto IV. The city is based on New York City, and is made up of three main boroughs: Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale.
2) Vice City:
The setting of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The city is based on Miami, Florida and set in the 1980s, and it is made up of several neighborhoods, including Little Havana, Ocean Beach, and Vice Point.
3) San Andreas:
The setting of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It is a fictional state based on California and Nevada, and it is made up of three main cities: Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), San Fierro (based on San Francisco), and Las Venturas (based on Las Vegas).
4) Los Santos:
The setting of Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online. Los Santos is a fictional city based on Los Angeles, and it is the largest open-world in any game of the series. It’s composed of various neighborhoods, including Rockford Hills, Del Perro, and Vinewood Hills.
5) Alderney:
The setting of The Ballad of Gay Tony, a DLC for Grand Theft Auto IV. Alderney is based on the state of New Jersey and it is the smallest of the three boroughs in Liberty City.
6) Blaine County:
It’s located in the borders of Los Santos and San Andreas, it is the main setting of the Grand Theft Auto V and Online. It’s a rural area that features a variety of landscapes including deserts, mountains, and a large lake.
7) Westdyke, Normandy, Alderney City:
These are small locations that are featured in The Lost and Damned, a DLC for Grand Theft Auto IV. They are located in Liberty City, and are the main setting of the DLC.
Every game in the GTA franchise, which features a strong urban culture, is set in a different city. The GTA series’ cities, from Liberty City to Vice City to Los Santos, have evolved into distinct people with their own unique personalities and histories. These cities feel vibrant because the developers worked hard to make each street corner distinct and memorable.
Cities’ portrayal of actual places has been one of the main ways they have contributed to the GTA series. Every city in the GTA series is a parody of a real-world city, complete with easily recognisable sights and cultural allusions. For instance, Liberty City in GTA IV serves as a depiction of New York City and has its own replicas of Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. Similar to how Los Santos is a parody of Los Angeles in GTA V, it has its own Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Hollywood Sign.
The cities in the GTA franchise have acted as both backdrops for the franchise’s storylines and representations of actual places. Players assume the role of criminal protagonists who explore the sordid underbelly of each city in the GTA series, which frequently uses the cities as a setting to explore themes of crime, corruption, and power. The GTA series’ cities frequently feature a broad cast of individuals, ranging from violent criminal bosses to dishonest politicians, which adds to the impression that these towns are living, breathing entities.
Finally, the gameplay mechanics of the GTA series have mostly been influenced by the cities. Players can explore and engage with the environments in the cities’ open-world settings in a way that is exclusive to the franchise. The cities in the GTA series give players a sandbox to experiment with numerous gameplay types, from vehicle chases to shootouts.
In conclusion, the popularity of the GTA franchise has been greatly influenced by the cities featured in the series. The cities in the GTA series are characters in their own right, both in terms of how they depict real-world locations and how they factor into the franchise’s plotlines. The open-world settings of these towns offer players countless opportunities for gameplay and exploration, making the franchise one of the most cherished in video game history.