The Grand Theft Auto series, usually shortened to GTA, is an open-world action-adventure video-game series published by Rockstar Games. The series began in 1997 with Grand Theft Auto, developed by DMA Design, the Scottish studio later known as Rockstar North.
Grand Theft Auto is built around fictional cities, crime stories, driving, shooting, exploration and satirical versions of American culture. It is one of Rockstar's most recognisable franchises and one of the most commercially important series in modern games.
Origins
The first Grand Theft Auto was released in 1997. It used a top-down view and let players move through city maps while completing criminal jobs, stealing vehicles and avoiding police.
DMA Design later became Rockstar North, and Rockstar Games became the publisher most closely associated with the series. The early games created the basic formula, but the series became much larger after it moved into 3D.
3D Era
Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001, moved the series into a fully 3D open-world city. Its version of Liberty City became the model for later entries, combining missions, free-roaming exploration, radio stations, vehicles and criminal storylines.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City followed in 2002 with a setting inspired by 1980s Miami. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas followed in 2004 and expanded the scale to a fictional state with cities, countryside and role-playing-style character progression.
HD Era
Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, moved the series into a more detailed version of Liberty City and used a more grounded narrative tone. It followed Niko Bellic, an immigrant drawn into crime after arriving in the city.
Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, is set in Los Santos and the surrounding state of San Andreas. It uses three protagonists: Michael, Franklin and Trevor. Its online component, Grand Theft Auto Online, became a long-running live-service game with heists, businesses, vehicles, events and regular updates.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled by Rockstar for release on 19 November 2026. Rockstar's official material places it in the fictional state of Leonida, including Vice City, and centres the story on Jason and Lucia.
Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI were announced for 25 June 2026. Rockstar lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for the initial release.
Themes and Style
Grand Theft Auto games use crime stories to parody politics, celebrity culture, policing, consumerism, media, business and urban life. Radio stations, adverts, in-game television and background dialogue are used to build the satire.
The series is also controversial. Its mature content, violence, criminal framing and satire have made it a frequent subject of public debate. At the same time, the games are widely discussed for their open-world design, mission structure, soundtracks and technical ambition.
Legacy
Grand Theft Auto helped define the modern open-world action game. Later sandbox games borrowed or reacted against its mixture of driving, combat, open-city traversal, mission design and side activities.
The series' commercial success, long gaps between major releases and ongoing popularity of Grand Theft Auto Online have kept it central to Rockstar's public identity.
See Also
References
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