Scotland looks to future as GTA VI nears release

Grand Theft Auto VI release scheduled for November 19

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on 19 November 2026, featuring protagonists Jason and Lucia in the setting of Vice City and the state of Leonida.

A launch party for the game is scheduled to take place at the Amplifier Bar on Saturday, 14 November.

DMA Design origins in Dundee

The Grand Theft Auto series originated as a top-down racing game developed in a small studio in Dundee, Scotland. The original title, released in 1997, was created by the studio DMA Design, which later became Rockstar North.

David Jones and Mike Dailly created the series. BMG Interactive was the original publisher for the first game in 1997.

Evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series

The history of the franchise is categorised into distinct eras, beginning with the 1997–1999 period which featured a top-down camera perspective. This early format displayed the city and gameplay from above. Grand Theft Auto 2, also released in 1999, introduced a system where the player's relationship with rival gangs in the futuristic Anywhere City impacted the game.

A shift occurred during the 2001–2004 era, when Grand Theft Auto III moved the series from a top-down view to a 3D third-person perspective. This title featured a protagonist named Claude. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released two years after Vice City and followed the story of Carl Johnson, or CJ, returning to Los Santos following a family tragedy.

The series subsequently progressed through the 2005–2009 era, covering Stories, GTA IV, and Chinatown Wars, followed by the 2013–2025 period of GTA V and GTA Online. The latest installment, GTA VI, is scheduled for release in 2026.

Creative milestones in game design

Its influence continues to persist in action games today.

This atmosphere was crafted through the 1980s Miami setting, which was reflected in the game's buildings, fashion, cars, and beaches.

Radio music and car radio elements, such as commercials, presenters, and jokes, also helped establish the identity of the city. Narrative depth was furthered in Vice City through the character Tommy Vercetti, whose personality, voice, and ambitions helped shape the story.

The game also introduced property ownership, allowing players to buy businesses to aid their progression and increase their investment in the city's economy. Later titles in the series were developed under the oversight of Dan Houser, Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies, and Aaron Garbut.

Debate over the identity of the franchise

A public debate has emerged regarding whether the series is British or American.

Reports indicate that the publisher of the original game hired a tabloid publicist.

Regarding future production, Rockstar has stated that the project following the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 will not require an eight-year development cycle.