In this ongoing look at significant moments in the history of video game design, we have already taken a look at Bungie’s Halo & Halo 2, Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series, Nintendo’s Metroid and several others. The goal of this series is to go beyond simple gaming magazines and iPhone Apps reviews, and take a closer look at what defines memorability and quality in game design. In this twentieth part of the series we will examine some more of those classic moments where video game designers undoubtedly got it right and delivered a memorable, enduring and progressive gaming experience.

Grand Theft Auto 3 (Multi-Platform) – Developed by DMA Design (now Rockstar Games) and released in 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA3) is one of the most controversial, successful and excellent videogames of all time. Its two predecessors, GTA1 and GTA2, were successful top down games that explored the same themes as GTA3, but from a more limiting 2D perspective. As the game moved into 3D and new gameplay opportunities became available, new groups of consumers began to take notice. Upon its release, GTA3 was given universally positive reviews and began to not only fly off store shelves, but see sale prices on internet auction sites that doubled and even tripled its retail value. The game became an overnight sensation and an absolute must own for videogame players across the world.

Of course, with this success came some (success fueling) controversy. Many religious, family and conservative groups came out against the game and its unprecedented levels of violence. Considering that the game allowed the player to be intimate with a prostitute, stab and shoot innocent people in the street, carjack police officers and run down old ladies, the controversy seems well deserved. However, the game never demands these actions of the player. Instead it sets them loose in a real world environment and allows them to complete their missions in any manner they choose. While violent acts are certainly a requisite part of the game, senseless and excessively brutal acts of violence are not. Despite the controversy, the game is one of the most beloved and respected of all time, and the incredible level of freedom it allows for will be the focus of this entry in our ongoing series.

In examining the landscape of videogames of 2001, a few notable titles stand above the crowd. Microsoft’s Halo was one of the most successful titles of that year. The game was a first-person shooter which, despite offering some tactical freedom, was a pretty linear affair. Serious Sam, a shooter for the PC which would go on to snap up many game of the year awards, was also very linear and allowed for little exploration. Metal Gear Solid 2, another all time classic, also released in 2001, and though it is a fantastic game, it offered very little in the way of freedom or exploration. GTA3 was just so very different from the games of its day that it demanded notice and, to the delight of all who played it, absolutely over delivered on quality.

The absolute brilliance of GTA3 lies in the fact that the player could sit down with GTA3, day after day, and have endless amounts of fun – all without ever engaging in the storyline or making any actual progress. Epic police chases, side missions playing as a fireman or police officer, stealing cars, amassing large amounts of cash, searching for jumps to launch cars and motorcycles, searching for hidden items and simple exploration are aspects of the game could have made up a high quality stand alone title based solely on their own merits. When added to the game’s riveting storyline, they were the ingredients that made this game the successful soup it became.

For its unprecedented freedom, astoundingly expansive game world, unparalleled gameplay options and nearly limitless ways to extract visceral excitement and pure fun, GTA3 is one of the greatest video games of all time and absolutely demands its place in this series.

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