DMA Design
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"I think some of the team were a little shocked by the tabloid response," says original GTA dev: "We'd made a game that gamers, critics, and the people actually playing all thought was pretty bloody good"
Original Grand Theft Auto developer DMA Design discusses the game's chaotic development, which began as 'Race'N'Chase' and evolved into a crime sandbox. Despite initial visual and technical challenges, the team focused on creating an interactive and immersive experience. The game's release sparked significant controversy and tabloid attention, which surprised the developers who believed they had created a well-received game.
Rockstar had to fight to get people to care about GTA 3 at E3, former lead recalls, and now GTA 6 is the most…
A former Rockstar Games developer, Obbe Vermeij, recalled that Grand Theft Auto 3's success was uncertain at its E3 2001 debut, with many attendees more interested in State of Emergency and finding GTA 3 too violent. Despite initial lukewarm reception and GTA 2 being a disappointment, Grand Theft Auto 3 went on to define the open-world genre and become a massive industry-changer.
"I think one of the reasons GTA was so well received was the amount of detail," reflects an original dev: "No one ever said no, or that something couldn't be done"
This article delves into the development history of the Grand Theft Auto series, focusing on the early contributions of DMA Design and key figures like Paul Farley and Mike Dailly. It highlights the evolution of the open-world concept, level design challenges, and the creative freedom that defined the franchise's early entries, from the original Grand Theft Auto to Grand Theft Auto 3 and beyond.
Revisiting Grand Theft Auto 2: Anywhere City And The Sequel That Fixed Everything Except Itself
This article revisits Grand Theft Auto 2, highlighting its improvements over the original, such as a save system and refined gameplay mechanics. Despite these enhancements, the author finds the game's retro-futuristic setting and inconsistent art style unappealing, especially when compared to contemporary titles like Driver.
From top-down crime capers to online open-world heists, GTA has defined play freedom across gaming generations
This article traces the evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series, from its top-down origins to the groundbreaking 3D open-world experiences that defined generations of gaming. It highlights key titles like Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 5, emphasizing how each installment pushed the boundaries of player freedom and open-world design, setting the stage for the anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.
Lemmings - An all time classic has arrived on the Pico-8 by Buzzard, and it's seriously good!
A demake of the classic game Lemmings has been released for the PICO-8 virtual machine and game engine by developer John Buise, also known as Buzzard. This non-commercial tribute features all 100 levels from the original NES release, with aesthetic inspiration drawn from the Amiga and SNES versions. The soundtrack was created by Eric Billingsley to emulate the NES score within the PICO-8's audio capabilities.
Sony almost released a battery-powered PS1 inside a DualShock controller, but it was cancelled due to royalty disputes…
Sony had plans for a battery-powered PlayStation 1 integrated into a DualShock controller, intended for the Brazilian market to circumvent import restrictions. This 'PlayStation PUGA' prototype, developed by Brian Watson, was cancelled due to unresolved royalty disputes between Sony's licensing departments and third-party developers, despite its functional prototype and potential for 20 hours of battery life.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
A History Of Grand Theft Auto Box Art, From GTA 1 To GTA 6
This article traces the evolution of Grand Theft Auto cover art from the original game to the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6. It highlights how Rockstar Games, and previously DMA Design, have maintained a consistent visual identity while adapting to new game settings and artistic trends, with Stephen Bliss being a key artist in establishing the iconic mosaic style.
Our Nightmare Society Isn’t Ready For GTA 6’s Launch
The upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 is discussed in the context of the current volatile sociopolitical climate and the history of video game controversies. The article posits that while the world may not stop for GTA 6, its release will likely spark significant discussion and potential outrage, amplified by modern media and social platforms. It explores how past games, including previous Grand Theft Auto titles, have been flashpoints for moral panic and how this might play out with GTA 6, especially given its potential for social commentary and satire.
Dev rewrites GTA 3 source code to reveal what Rockstar was hiding and show how Liberty City fit on a PS2
Game journalist and developer Mark Brown has rewritten sections of Grand Theft Auto 3's source code to demonstrate how Rockstar Games (then DMA Design) managed to fit the expansive Liberty City within the PlayStation 2's limited 32MB of memory. The analysis highlights techniques like asset streaming and the use of lower-detail models for distant objects, which are still relevant in modern game development.
How the video games industry will finally destroy itself - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature argues that the video game industry is unsustainable due to a financial system that disincentivizes innovation and leads to conservatism and consolidation. The author suggests that increasing costs, reliance on finance capital over productive labor, and the rise of AI threaten the industry's long-term survival, potentially leading to a crisis similar to broader economic issues.
50 Best Nintendo 64 Games Of All Time
This article ranks the 50 best games released for the Nintendo 64, celebrating the console's 30th anniversary. It highlights genre-defining classics and influential titles that showcased the system's capabilities in the early 3D era, from Super Mario 64 to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
