Grand Theft Auto
News, coverage and analysis tracking Grand Theft Auto across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The women of Grand Theft Auto: How film noir shaped (and limited) Rockstar's female characters
This article analyzes how film noir tropes have influenced the portrayal of female characters in the Grand Theft Auto series, often limiting them to archetypes with little agency. As Grand Theft Auto 6 introduces Lucia as a substantial female lead, the piece explores the potential for Rockstar Games to evolve beyond these historical constraints and create more complex, independent female characters, drawing parallels with modern cinematic interpretations of the femme fatale.
Grand Theft Auto Players Fundraise $50k for Sick Fan Trying to Make It to GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto players have raised over $50,000 to support a fan awaiting a lung transplant, aiming to help him live long enough to play Grand Theft Auto VI. The community rallied together to contribute to his medical expenses.
Tencent's cyberpunk rival to Grand Theft Auto is in trouble as its developer lays off 80 people
Tencent's ambitious cyberpunk open-world game, Last Sentinel, is reportedly in trouble as developer Lightspeed LA has laid off 80 employees. Publisher Tencent has lost confidence in the project, which has been in development for six years and faced multiple delays and reboots. While not officially cancelled, Lightspeed LA is now working on the game without Tencent's backing and plans to shift its creative direction.
"Machines that weren't game machines before will become game machines": Take-Two CEO predicts that streaming will help fix the industry's hardware pricing problem
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick predicts that cloud gaming will become mainstream within three years, potentially alleviating issues with high hardware costs. He believes this shift will expand the addressable market for games, especially in less affluent regions. Zelnick also noted the increasing importance of PC as a gaming platform and expressed optimism about advancements in network technology addressing latency concerns, despite past failures like Google Stadia.
GTA III – Från fågelperspektiv till världsherravälde
Grand Theft Auto III is highlighted as a revolutionary title that defined the open-world genre and propelled the Grand Theft Auto series into a cultural phenomenon. Released in 2001 for PlayStation 2, its 3D Liberty City offered unprecedented freedom, influencing numerous subsequent games and sparking debates about mature content in video games. The article also touches upon the series' enduring impact, exemplified by the massive success of Grand Theft Auto V and the anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rockstar's great Midnight Club racing series was killed off for one simple reason, and you can probably guess what…
Former Rockstar designer Kris Roberts explained that the Midnight Club racing series was canceled primarily due to its perceived lower status compared to Grand Theft Auto. Internal conflicts between studios and missed deadlines also contributed, but the overwhelming focus on the GTA franchise ultimately led to the series' demise, despite critical acclaim for titles like Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
Rockstar Games Killed Midnight Club 5 Because It Wasn't as Big as GTA, Ex-Designer Claims
An ex-Rockstar Games designer claims that the studio canceled Midnight Club 5 because it was not expected to achieve the same commercial success as the Grand Theft Auto franchise. This suggests a strategic focus on their most profitable series.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article analyzes Tencent's unsuccessful attempt to compete with the Grand Theft Auto franchise. It delves into the business strategies and game development challenges faced by Tencent in this endeavor.
'Deck de France' is a new free software that can turn your bike trainer into a controller for your Steam Deck
A new free software called Deck de France allows users to turn compatible smart bike trainers into controllers for PC games, including titles like Rocket League, Forza Horizon, and Grand Theft Auto. The application translates pedaling power into in-game actions, such as acceleration or boost, and is compatible with any Linux PC, though it has been demonstrated working with the Steam Deck.
Last Sentinel Spent 6 Years and “Hundreds of Millions” to Compete With GTA and Failed – Rumor
Lightspeed LA's ambitious open-world cyberpunk game, Last Sentinel, has reportedly been in development for six years with a budget in the hundreds of millions, aiming to compete with Grand Theft Auto. Despite features like an elaborate story and destructible environments, the project has suffered from staff turnover, unclear creative vision, negative internal playtest feedback, and significant layoffs. Tencent has expressed dissatisfaction, leading to a drastic change in the game's direction, with its eventual release uncertain.
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.
Saturday Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article features retrospectives on the Civilization franchise's 35th anniversary, including insights from Sid Meier and Firaxis Games regarding the future of XCOM. It also delves into Tencent's unsuccessful attempt to compete with Grand Theft Auto.
Chinatown Wars Is the Unsung Hero of GTA Games
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is highlighted as an unsung hero within the Grand Theft Auto series, stemming from Rockstar Games' experimental approach on the Nintendo DS platform. The game represents a unique and often overlooked entry in the franchise's history.
Grand Theft Auto – The Legacy Review
The original Grand Theft Auto offered a groundbreaking open-world experience that, while demanding patience and precision, laid the foundation for future titles. Its legacy is fascinating when viewed in the context of modern gaming.
Rockstar Co-Founder And GTA Co-Creator On Physical Games: Companies Should Provide It If People Want It
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser stated that companies should provide physical game discs if consumers want them, despite his personal indifference. He also acknowledged the benefits of digital games for updates and fixes. Sony is phasing out disc support for PlayStation in 2028, a move experts attribute to increased control and profitability, while Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a digital-exclusive with a code in the box.
The Best GTA Missions
This article lists the best missions from the Grand Theft Auto series, highlighting iconic moments such as heists, drug deals, and jetpack sequences. It aims to identify the most memorable and engaging missions across the franchise.
Games Inbox: Are people still excited for Tomb Raider games?
Readers discuss the declining popularity of the Tomb Raider series, questioning if remakes can revive its former glory. Other topics include the potential of ad-based game streaming, the perceived lack of excitement for the Switch 2's second year lineup, and the business decisions behind game pricing and remakes.
Saturday Patches
A modder has created a Grand Theft Auto multiverse, allowing players to instantly travel between different versions of the game. This update, referred to as 'MindsEye - Update 8', is available for consoles and PC, and also includes official patches alongside unofficial game modifications.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Calls For A Return To The Good Old Days Of AA Gaming
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the current game development model is unsustainable due to ballooning budgets and a lack of diverse titles. He advocates for a return to the 'AA' gaming era of the PlayStation 1 and 2, aiming to create a publishing concern that supports smaller studios and offers more varied experiences for players.
Evening Reading - July 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including reviews for EA Sports College Football 27 and Backyard Baseball, and updates on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. It also touches on rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a discussion about favorite Grand Theft Auto games, and Microsoft's agreement to use AMD AI infrastructure.
