When Grand Theft Auto ALMOST Got Cancelled

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Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 3 triggered the mainstream media and parents, when it was released on the PlayStation 2. Tons of backlash and controversy surrounded the title. We take a look back at the interesting Journey for the revolutionary title.   Almost Cancelled 0:00 Intro 0:11 Grand Theft Auto 3 0:37 Next Gen Plans 1:47 E3 Reveal Trailer  3:11 GTA Release Date 5:09 More Outrage 6:22 Rockstar Games  708 Outro

Transcript

00:00While the Grand Theft Auto series is considered one of the most well-respected franchises

00:16ever, there was a time when its very mature nature created tons of outrage and negative

00:22headlines. Its arrival on the market would invoke serious discussions of the game being

00:27banned. Let's take a look back at how the revolutionary classic GTA 3 almost got cancelled by the

00:35mainstream. As the new millennium was approaching, video games were starting to improve immensely

00:43in the visual department. Character models and environments began to lean closer to realism

00:49than ever before. Rockstar Games, who previously published a few top-down titles, began working

00:57on their latest game for the new generation of consoles. The small team of developers were

01:03out to create an open-world game like no other. Compared to their previous entries, it would

01:09leave very little to the imagination in its new form. It would be set in a New York-inspired

01:15city and give players the ultimate freedom. Originally, the company approached Microsoft

01:21studios with an exclusive deal for their Xbox system. But due to the very mature nature of

01:27the game, they decided to decline. Sony, on the other hand, was given the same offer and

01:34would welcome the franchise with open arms to their growing library. After several months

01:39of development and with very minimal buzz surrounding the project. Rockstar would make a big splash at

01:452001's E3.

02:15C'mon.

02:37C'mon today.

02:43After the showcase, the hype train began to finally take off.

03:02The trailer displayed an unthinkable amount of freedom and mayhem on a city street,

03:07which had never been seen in a video game prior.

03:10In the fall of 2001, the highly anticipated game would finally release,

03:17and copies would fly off shelves.

03:19It quickly became the top-selling game of the year on the PlayStation 2.

03:24Most professional video game outlets applauded the company for pushing the boundaries.

03:30However, some popular platforms rejected the game for its over-the-top violence and adult themes.

03:36As GTA 3 gained popularity among the youth,

03:40the controversy surrounding the project would continue to grow.

03:45Many non-gamers that were on the outside looking in

03:48had a big problem with the graphic realism put on display.

03:53The biggest complaints were

03:54the violence against police officers and innocent civilians.

03:57The inclusion of prostitution in the gameplay and story.

04:13And it received accusations of glorifying drugs and criminal activities.

04:22These rather adult themes had struck a chord with many.

04:26Some critics even suggesting it was a crime simulation targeted toward the youth.

04:31It was far from games like Super Mario and Zelda that once dominated the market.

04:36Due to the mature themes, some retail stores chose not to sell the title.

04:42And countries like Australia actually decided to ban the game.

04:46But the negative publicity and the amount of controversy garnered

04:50only seemed to fuel its sales in the end.

04:55The headlines inadvertently created more intrigue and curiosity.

04:58The game was often used as a scapegoat in the media after violent crimes occurred.

05:05Prompting more discussions about the potential effects of violence in games.

05:09There is nothing new about worrying over the impact of media on children.

05:14One generation of adults after another has viewed with alarm

05:18and risen with righteous indignation over the potential damaging effects

05:22of violent comic books, rock and roll music, graphic movies, obscene lyrics,

05:27not to mention the wholesale impact of the internet and all that's contained within.

05:32But of all the worrisome materials swirling about out there,

05:35Grand Theft Auto 3, one of the most popular, technically sophisticated

05:40and graphic video games ever designed,

05:44may have given our generation of adults something new to worry about.

05:47Since it was released nine months ago,

05:50Grand Theft Auto 3 has sold 3.5 million copies at $50 per.

05:55It carries a rating of M for mature audience,

05:59indicating that its content is unsuitable for persons under 17.

06:03But that, of course, has only made it more tantalizing to teens under that age.

06:08The publisher would often have to defend their project

06:11and denounce the claims made by the non-gaming audience.

06:16Despite the backlash and fear-mongering in the media,

06:20after the unimaginable success of Grand Theft Auto 3,

06:24more publishers were willing to push creative boundaries with their projects,

06:28and many clones of the sandbox shooter would emerge on the market in the following years.

06:35The franchise continues to make waves in the gaming world,

06:38often setting high standards for other developers.

06:42Rockstar has also went on to become one of the most well-respected companies in the industry.

06:47What do you think about this story?

06:56Do you think violent video games can have a negative impact on consumers?

07:01And what would gaming look like today if Grand Theft Auto 3 actually got cancelled?

07:07Leave a comment below and let me know.

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