IN BRIEF
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The first installment of the legendary franchise Grand Theft Auto, developed by Rockstar North, appeared on the video game scene in 1997. This game, both controversial and innovative, marked the beginning of an adventure that literally revolutionized the video game industry. In this article, we will explore in detail the release date of GTA 1, as well as its impact on the world of video games.
Key dates
The game Grand Theft Auto saw the light of day on several dates depending on the media. In Europe, the version for Microsoft Windows And MS-DOS was launched on November 28, 1997, while American players had to wait until February 26, 1998 to play it. For fans of PlayStation, the launch took place on December 12, 1997 in Europe, while the United States had to wait until June 30, 1998 to discover the joys of traffic in the world of GTA.
A bold development
The game was originally developed under the name DMA Design, a Scottish studio which later changed its name to Rockstar North. This name change also marked the emergence of a new era for the studio, which would quickly become famous for its daring games. The success of the first GTA paved the way for a series of incredible sequels and propelled the franchise to the top of the sales charts, with over 400 million copies sold worldwide since its inception.
A controversial game
Upon its release, GTA 1 has been at the heart of many controversies, provoking intense debates about violence in video games. Despite (or perhaps because of) this controversy, the game attracted a devoted fan base who were won over by its free-form gameplay and varied missions. The cultural impact of this first installment cannot be understated, as it also inspired many other games to move away from traditional guidelines and explore darker and more complex themes.
Platforms and their evolution
In addition to its availability on PC, GTA 1 has also been adapted for other media, including Game Boy Color in 1999. This diversification of platforms allowed the game to reach an even wider audience. Each version of the game has been slightly adapted to take into account the technical specificities of each console, while preserving the very essence of what made the franchise successful.
The legacy of GTA 1
With a launch that spanned several months and versions for different platforms, GTA 1 marked the beginning of a saga that continues to captivate gamers today. The franchise has undergone spectacular evolutions, but the foundations laid by this first title remain steadfast. If you want to discover more about the history of this iconic game, you can check out resources such as Wikipedia Or GTA Wiki.
GTA 1 release date
Platform | Release date |
PC (MS-DOS) | November 28, 1997 |
PlayStation | December 12, 1997 |
Game Boy Color | 1999 |
PC (US version) | February 26, 1998 |
PlayStation (US version) | June 30, 1998 |
- Platform : Microsoft Windows
- Release date (Europe): November 28, 1997
- Release date (USA): February 26, 1998
- Platform : PlayStation
- Release date (Europe): December 12, 1997
- Release date (USA): June 30, 1998
- Platform : MS-DOS
- Release date: November 1997
- Platform : Game Boy Color
- Release date: 1999