Gallery: GTA: Grand Theft Auto - A History of Crime

The first installment of GTA didn't blow us away with it's graphics, that's for sure.  With its simple two-dimensional view the player was like a criminal god looking down on a world of death, drugs and destruction.  The lack of good looks, however did not hinder it's popularity among gamers.  The open gameplay that is the trademark of the GTA games from the first game to the most recent GTA: IV.  Players can move around the fictional cites like Liberty City, Vice City and San Andreas causing chaos and destruction in their wake.  Stealing cars, scoring deals and chasing the green.  It was a real change in the gaming world, bring real-life crime to consoles and making it cool.  This is what has led to a number of governing bodies condemning the game and it's creators for glorifying violence and crime.  Some countries have even banned the sale of the game deeming it to be socially irresponsible.  But these steps only see that the game garners headlines across the globe, increasing the hype and in turn the the game's sales.

Gallery: GTA: Grand Theft Auto - A History of Crime

The second installment of the series was set in the near future with the anti-hero, Claude dependent on the co-operation of three rival gangs within the city.  The graphics had advanced, but the gameplay was rather lacking and hadn't really moved on from the first game.  New aspects were introduced, but GTA. II didn't really excite the masses.

Grand Theft Auto: III was released in 2001 and proved to be the breakthrough title for the franchise.  Set around the same time the game is based around the fictional city "Liberty City" based loosely on New York, while also incorporating aspects of other American cities.  GTA: III brought the third person view to the game, rather than the traditional top down view of its predecessors.  One problem that was addressed was the ease of navigation around Liberty City.  A GPS beacon was a constant on the gaming screen showing the players position at all times.  The graphics had made another evolution with a new 3D game engine.  This allowed the GTA world to become more "explorable" using a mission-based approach.  This became the norm for further titles and gamers loved it.  Following on from GTA: III  gamers were transported back in time to the mid-80's and the Vice City cocaine trade.  For the first time players could take control of fully functioning flying vehicles such as seaplanes and helicopters.  A variety of new weapons and vehicles were introduced also.  Following on from the 80s throwback of white linen suits and exuberance we were transported to San Andreas focusing on up and coming gangsters trying to make there way in the urban jungle.

Gallery: GTA: Grand Theft Auto - A History of Crime

Last, but certainly not least is without a doubt one of the greatest games to be published.  GTA: IV was the eagerly awaited sequel to San Andreas and it did not disappoint.  Released simultaneously on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 it quickly became the top selling game of 2008.  The game follows Nico Bellic a veteran from an unnamed Eastern block country coming to America to chase the "American Dream".  However he finds that chasing this dream is going to be harder than he thought and he must hit the streets of Liberty City in order to make money by doing whatever it takes, even if that means breaking the law.  GTA: IV sold 3.7 million copies on its launch day and with over $500 million in profits in the first week.  Hate it o love it,  the GTA franchise looks like it is here to stay.

Gallery: GTA: Grand Theft Auto - A History of Crime

In just over a decade, Grand Theft Auto has changed the way that developers look at gaming, proving that computer games are not just for kids by releasing games with adult content and whether this is accepted by the masses or not, publishers have definitely found a niche to target with these well thought out and adapted games.