First details of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

By Rob Fahey Published 13 May, 2004

Rockstar fills us in with the first snippets of information about the next Grand Theft Auto - marking a return to more modern times, with a Menace II Society feel...

Rockstar's biggest game of the year isn't due to be shown off to the world's press until next month, but that hasn't stopped the company from releasing a few tantalising details about its next Scots-developed criminal tour de force during the E3 show this week - along with a few screenshots.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is set in the early nineties in the fictional city of Los Santos in the state of San Andreas - so Los Angeles, in other words - and draws heavily on the Menace II Society school of West Coast gangsta movies.

The player takes on the role of Carl Johnson, a young black man who escaped from life in Los Santos five years previously, but has now been forced to return to the city (described charmingly as a city "tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption" - sounds like Los Angeles alright!) following the murder of his mother.

Carl arrives back in Los Santos to find his family falling apart and his childhood friends "heading towards disaster," but no sooner does he arrive in San Andreas state than he's framed for murder by some corrupt cops, and must embark on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas.

Don't worry, though - this is less a Boyz N The Hood coming of age story and more a New Jack City all-action affair, because young Carl's answer to his familial and legal problems seems to be, er, to "take control of the streets." So essentially, if framed for murder, the best way out is to become the biggest local crime boss. Makes perfect sense to us.

The setting suggests loads of really bad early nineties music, gangsta rap on the radio and more amusing cultural references than you can shake a heavily bling-encrusted stick at, while the game looks likely to have lost little of the grit and controversy of its predecessors. Plus, the setting gives Rockstar a whole new group of ethnic minorities to get in trouble with once the US media gets a bright idea on a slow news day, so it's all good.

Expect to hear more about GTA: San Andreas next month; the game is due for launch on the PS2 next Christmas, and as with its predecessors, it's a PS2 exclusive for a limited period.

Picture of Rob.

About Rob Fahey

Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.

Read more articles from Rob by visiting the Rob Fahey archive page.

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Comments (58) Latest comment 7 years ago

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  • Tiger_Walts #1 8 years ago

    ehm

    ^^^
    re-arrange as appropriate

  • renzo #2 8 years ago

    "So essentially, if framed for murder, the best way out is to become the biggest local crime boss."

    If he chose to hire Johnny Cochrane instead it would be a very boring game. ;)

  • Daryoon #3 8 years ago

    and more a New Jack City all-action affair

    Oh shit! Jungle-music loving hairy priests?!

  • Shinji #4 8 years ago

    I've had my fun, and thats all that matters...

  • kincaide #5 8 years ago

    NWA soundtrack then

  • dadrester #6 8 years ago

    there's a bmx in the shots. so maybe there'll be some hoffman style minigames lurking around somwhere (like the destruction derby ring in vice city).
    i hear you'll be able to leave los angeles (or whatever) and head over to las vegas (ditto) too, to set up your own casino. and you'll be able to burgle.
    apparently it's 4-6 (i.e 5) times bigger than vice city. so we might even see some big mutha truckers style trading engine in there too. it would be just like those boys up at rockstar to have a good stab at a game like that. anyway i'm actually quite looking forward to this after having thought it wouldn't excite me anymore.

  • dadrester #7 8 years ago

    gamesradar...
    "San Andreas is NOT Los Angeles, it's a whole state. Los Santos, on the other hand is, to all intents and purposes, LA. The game's two other cities, San Fierro and Las Venturra are based on San Francisco and Las Vegas respectively"

  • Philip Gumm #8 8 years ago

    Cool....I guess....Vice City was the last one until GTA4.

  • MBar #9 8 years ago

    due for launch on the PS2 next Christmas

    with the what now? next christmas? are we talking christmas 2004 or 2005 here?

  • dadrester #10 8 years ago

    october this year

  • pjmaybe #11 8 years ago

    "and more a New Jack City all-action affair

    Oh shit! Jungle-music loving hairy priests?!
    ignore poster

    I've had my fun, and thats all that matters... "

    LOL!!!!

    Best Episode of FT evarrrrrrghhh

    Peej

  • JaysonG #12 8 years ago

    So. Now we know. San Andreas is NOT Los Angeles, it's a whole state. Los Santos, on the other hand is, to all intents and purposes, LA. The game's two other cities, San Fierro and Las Venturra are based on San Francisco and Las Vegas respectively. There'll be countryside between the three main areas, each of which is roughly the same size as the whole of Vice City

    The most significant gameplay changes are a new stamina meter, meaning you need to eat, and massively improved building interiors. You'll be able to commit burglary now, or run a casino in Las Venturra. If you're feeling less ambitious you can just gamble away your ill-gotten gains on the tables in LV.

  • dadrester #13 8 years ago

    since there are 3 cities there is likely to be a whole state to explore. that means long streches of desert etc. i reckon this could go some way to improving the driving aspect in terms of handling. ai has also apparently improved so you can recruit buddy ai on missions, adding the stratergy elements that were supposed to be a big thing in gta2.

    plus there's gambling... gambling! i hope they include some decent fruit machines

  • El_MUERkO #14 8 years ago

    I loved early nineties gangsta rap, NWA being angry, east coast -v- west coast, big base and capping people with 9's none of this 'look at all my bitches and bling' shit they do now!!!

  • JaysonG #15 8 years ago

    They'll have to put in a Rat-Pack radio station with Sinatra et al. You can't have vegas without ol blue eyes.

  • El_MUERkO #16 8 years ago

    San Francisco = hills = cool car chases and slamming into trams :)

  • dadrester #17 8 years ago

    bmxing down those hills wooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
    ...look no hands!!!!

  • dadrester #18 8 years ago

    erm Asmodeus... everyone is entitled to thier opinion but have you actually played any of the 3d gta games. they're no more voilent than metal gear solid or half life. if you were talking about something like true crimes i could understand as that is obviously a rushed/ unfinished piece of work that, imho, is substandard but the gta series hasn't influenced so many developers and shifted so many copies simply because it is politically incorrect or violent. there is excellent technology used to create a fun game there...

  • Tiger_Walts #19 8 years ago

    Asmodeus, I don't recall "Custer's Revenge" being a multi-million seller.

  • dadrester #20 8 years ago

    haha. i'd forgotten about that... what about night trap! not quite rape but not far off it

  • Daryoon #21 8 years ago

    How the hell are they going to fit something 3 times as big as VC onto one DVD?

  • Slippy #22 8 years ago

    Are they likely to make this with a future Xbox version in mind, or can we expect another PS2 port?

    I'm thinking a quick and easy port with minor touch-ups.

    ($) ($)
    o
    \_/

    .....sorry about the pic

  • dadrester #23 8 years ago

    most of vc is radio stations and speech. maybe they've come up with a new compressor

  • Slippy #24 8 years ago

    That pic was superb until I posted it!

  • El_MUERkO #25 8 years ago

    Daryoon they might not of used the full dvd last time, a DVD can hold something like 5/6 gigs of data I think (techies feel free to correct me).

  • Slippy #26 8 years ago

    Thanks for trying kev!
    Edited by 1 at 13/05/04 @ 16:40

  • dadrester #27 8 years ago

    4.7 gig on a standard one but they're working on larger capacities. anyway i reckon they might have some new sound compressor. manhunt apparently had about 10 hours of music sound and speech which was streamed through multiple channels. rockstar invested heavily in sound technology for manhunt so they'll want to use alot of what they've learnt. also like El_MUERkO says, they probably didn't use all the dvd.

  • Killerbee #28 8 years ago

    I've loved both GTA3 and Vice City, but I was kind of hoping to hear a bit more about the new stuff they're going to be putting into this game. The graphics engine looks as though it hasn't changed (imho it's a shame they don't license the Transformers engine from Melbourne House) and the plot isn't all that earth-shatteringly original either.

    I'm sure they will pull something good out of the bag in the fullness of time, but until then I'm not getting on the hype bandwagon.

    /half-meh

  • BLACKSHEEP #29 8 years ago

    Isn't the HDD gonna be used to some capacity. I think if Sony want's to create a user base for the add-on then this is THE game to pack it in!

    Really I want the HDD to give me instant Central Station/EyeToy:Chat whatever that Live! takes for granted. A worldwide standard portal you connect to at startup and can choose games to play without having to msn ppl for a match!

  • Blerk #30 8 years ago

    Just to throw a spanner in the works of all the people who reckon I only like obscure Japanese hamster dating simulators.... I'm very much looking forward to this. Ha. :-)

  • valli #31 8 years ago

    If the data size can dictate how much bigger SA will be, it can be up to 4.5 times bigger than VC. Some games (Champions of Norrath, Unlim. SaGa) are already being released on 9GB DVDs (DVD9).

  • HarryB #32 8 years ago

    They will use a dual-layer dvd and so there won't be any space problems

    only problem gta games every brought with them was killing dvd drives because of their streaming technology for the huge cities which meant the dvd drive was constantly reading the dvd at all times

    hopefully they have improved this and are maybe gonna take advantage of the hard drive on PS2 and XBOX to reduce pop-up this time around.

    Comments?

  • daveo #33 8 years ago

    I don't recall Commando Lybia (c64) being a top seller either come to think of it.

  • dadrester #34 8 years ago

    i think it's fairly safe to say that san andreas will have everything driver3, the getaway, true crimes and vice city has plus more. might not be a pretty as driver3 but i'm sure looking forward to it more.

  • KraftWerk #35 8 years ago

    Dang. I was really hoping a 70'ties scenario with groovy funk music and giant afros. Still sounds like a fun game, though. I wonder how detailed each city will be..? I guess there's a chance that the cities will be a bit ghost-like.

  • funk #36 8 years ago

    "The player takes on the role of Carl Johnson, a young black man"
    interesting change, not many games have a black main character

    sounds good, better AI, bigger map with hills, more interiors and more abilities
    the only question is, how much of that is true

  • Segata Sanshiro #37 8 years ago

    There are actual mountains in the game, and yes you can drive up/around them.

    Big graphical leap. Better lighting and real-time reflections on cars, windows and mirrors.

    The game's storyline is going to have a much stronger focus, even when not playing in missions. Its also going to be a bit more dramatic and serious than the previous two storys.

    You can now rob homes, but you have to plan it out properly or you'll die

    You can have a group of people with you, helping you perform drive-bys (a four-man drive-by is now possible).

    Swimming IS finally included!

    Theres a bunch of new skills to learn that you earn over time, some even from side-quests and minigames.

    You have to eat to keep proper stanima, but if you eat too much and don't exercise enough, you'll become fat, run slow, and it will make some missions impossible to complete. You have to go to the gym and work off your fat (you'll also be called a "fat bastard" by other people in the game).

    Improved targeting system, but Rockstar won't say whats been changed, they said that you should think of Manhunt's gunplay.

    Improved hand-to-hand combat.

    Rag-doll physics when you shoot people.

  • Randy Eastman  #38 8 years ago

    giggle

  • Randy Eastman  #39 8 years ago

    giggle

  • space_ace #40 8 years ago

    looks ugly. what's up, rockstar?

  • Sko #41 8 years ago

    Oooh, seven different 'ignore poster' links to choose from....

    *click*

    Ahhhhhh...

  • MoFo #42 8 years ago

    Looks ugly? Yeah and some people say Brittney Spears is ugly, but if she offered to go down on you you'd probably spill your load before she even got close.

    ....Mmmm....

    ... sorry what were we talking about again?

  • kalel #43 8 years ago

    I think that setting it in early 90's LA is both a very clever and very worrying bit of marketing.

    Its clever because it is tapping into the current fascination with hip hop culture. This could well be the first game to successfully do this and combined with its already excisting reputation, this will appeal to a huge amount of people. Plus, it is BOUND to be accused of racism, again, which will create even more publicity and add to its inevitable success.

    Its worrying because it shows that Rockstar are really looking at making games from a marketing point of view now. Vice City, in terms of its settings, was actually only going to appeal to a certain amount of people, ie people that were born at least in the mid seventies. This alienates a decent amount of people that are potentially going to buy the game, and that's not including kids under 18. And yet it sold an absolute shit load. This has a much bigger mainstream appeal and I dread to think how much it'll sell. I just hope they put the effort in with the game itself.

  • kalel #44 8 years ago

    Read the other article and you'll see you can go to Vegas baby!

  • Daryoon #45 8 years ago

    Theres a bunch of new skills to learn that you earn over time, some even from side-quests and minigames.

    About time! I always thought the games should have some sort of skill/ability system, perhaps in a similar way to Deus Ex. However, if it's three times the size of VC, they better pack in a lot of variety - one thing I hated about the previous games is that they became repetitive.

    I'd still like a more opened ended story though, where the way you act and the choices you make determine the outcome. Instead of being able to retry missions, having to live with the consequences would make for a more replayable experience - and if you didn't like the outcome you could always reload! Plus a little empire building wouldn't go amiss. How about buying up a mechanics/garage where you supply them with money/equipment/vehicles and in return you get access to vehicle upgrades/mods, or even brand new unique vehicles.

  • 3william56 #46 8 years ago

    /Rockstar's suggested summer shopping list

    New camera system
    New aiming / fighting mechanic
    New getaway mechanic (not just throwing police cars at you like cannon balls, and allowing car changes and losing pursuers to have an effect)
    Proper second stick camera control, not that horrible look around
    Less linear missions
    More progressive wanted levels vs. cop response (over *** it just gets silly)
    ...

    In fact, just keep the basic concept and production values, and totally overhaul the game mechanics please.

  • space_ace #47 8 years ago

    MoFo- yeah, sure, but she's mocked-up :)

    (no offense to either of you)

  • Blerk #48 8 years ago

    I went to school with a guy called Carl Johnson. I don't think he was a 'Gangsta' though.

  • aabyssx #49 8 years ago


    The place is gonna be 5 times bigger than VC!


    I hope the bigger size doesn't mean loss of detail.

  • Thamuhacha #50 8 years ago

    /checks back to ratchet and clank 3 first impressions comments
    /checks back to rednecks in Full Spectrum Warrior comments
    /looks here in disbelief

    Are we now another US tard site? It seems so ...

    EditYes ... 2 links in the same post caused me a problem today. Anyone got a smart comment on that one?
    Edited by 4 at 02/06/04 @ 19:37

  • bdrewb@optonline.net #51 8 years ago

    when rockstar researched fact that other competertives are releasing maney other games in october(and nov.),theay decided to wait till december for the new g.t.a.----makes a very nice christmas present----

  • funk #52 8 years ago

    that sucks if its true
    i agree about the diet simulator thing, sounds pretty stupid, time would be better spent actually in the gym than going to one in a computer game
    i dont want GTA: the sims

    i like daryoon's ideas, especially non-linear gameplay, its weird retrying missions after you die

  • pjmaybe #53 8 years ago

    Someone's really borked this haven't they!

    Peej

  • den davies #54 8 years ago

    oh dear mr. rogers, it appears you forgot to put your friends email address in your post, now we'll never get an early copy!!!

  • den davies #55 8 years ago

    GTA PROVIDER wrote: Ktpimpin there is a new thing in thiss game that lets you to be able to swim, there is a meter on how long though you can swim but i can't reveal anymore information on that sorry...any other questions feel free to ask...

    this sounds extremely similar to the recently released Driver 3. tell me, do you have ANY information on cars, weapons, or music in the game? anything that's not already available elsewhere?

  • Daryoon #56 8 years ago

    Eurogamer gameFAQs style!

  • #57 7 years ago

    the

  • #58 7 years ago

    actually blake they only have to wait till the 29th

  • #59 7 years ago

    is very

  • #60 7 years ago

    I agree. Everyone must die, and they will!

  • Dom's ass #61 7 years ago

    and he'll poke your **** region!!

  • #62 7 years ago

    Hm. This isn't good.

  • BravoGolf #63 7 years ago

    Sure!

    Here you go:

    This is another simple mission, in theory, although it can be difficult. After you escort Big Smoke to the marker, you’ll have to hop onto a Sanchez and chase a train that’s loaded up with rival gangstas. Smoke will fire away as you drive, so long as you can stay near the front of the train, he'll automatically lock onto one of the gang members and start plugging away, but you'll have to keep him in position for a while before each gang member dies, as they have a ridiculous amount of health. Also note that Smoke aims at the rearmost banger first, then switches to the guy in front of him, and so on; thus, you should keep a little bit behind the train's engine car to prevent the gang members that he's not shooting at from having an easy shot at you.

    The train is about as fast as your bike - faster when you’re going uphill - so you’ll have to avoid accidents and crashes if you want to take out all four of the foes. You may notice jumps on either side of the train tracks on occasion; if you can run your bike off of one of these and land on the train itself, you can shoot away at the gang members yourself, but you may leave Smoke a ways behind if you do so.

    Eventually you’ll take them all out, though, although it’s likely to take some time, so enjoy your little trip through the backcountry before escorting Smoke back home.

    Hope that helps :)