CHAPTER 22 Backstory and Free Play

 

Nick Iuppa & Terry Borst

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) videogame trilogy (Liberty City, Vice City, San Andreas) is arguably the most successful commercial game franchise in history. It has also gained notoriety for its “hidden” sexual content (unlocked via a videogame “mod”) and for its nonjudgmental (or amoral) allowance for criminal behavior.

GTA also happens to define one of the most successful storygame models yet developed in the commercial realm. A brief look at some of its techniques and mechanics may inform your approach to a simulation, particularly if you’re looking at using the RT3D (real-time 3D-rendered) platform.

GTA is often known as a “sandbox” game. As the tag suggests, players have full freedom ...

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