The Curious Case of Grand Theft Auto: London – The Series That Never Was
Once upon a time in the magical land of video games, where pixelated dreams come true, a certain former Rockstar wordsmith decided to spill some beans about why a 3D Grand Theft Auto romp in London has remained as elusive as a decent cup of tea in a coffee shop. Enter stage left: Dan Houser, a name synonymous with chaotic adventures and vehicular mayhem.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Back in the stone age of gaming—1997, to be precise—Grand Theft Auto made its grand debut on PS1 and PC, bringing with it a gust of excitement and a hint of mischief. The original game, in a delightful twist, gave birth to two mission packs: Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and the shorter, volunteer-level London 1961. In those halcyon days, who knew that stealing cars and upscale fashion would one day be synonymous with American culture? Apparently, Houser did.
Where in the World Is GTA London?
Fast forward to modern times (because who has the patience for time travel), and fans have been clamoring for a full-fledged 3D adventure in the land of fish and chips. Many believe London would make a splendid backdrop, even more so than the picturesque streets of Miami as depicted in the charmingly chaotic console game, The Getaway. But legendary writer Dan Houser, in a tête-à-tête with Lex Fridman, offered a fascinating take on this whole phoenix of a discussion.
When the issue of reviving the game in Vice City arose, Fridman complimented the “glossy surface and dark underworld” of Miami. Because, really, where else can one find the perfect cocktail of crypto bros aghast at yacht parties and bargain-hunting seagulls? He asked, “Wouldn’t it be a great city to pick the brains of every lovable lunatic in the human race?” Cue Houser’s sage nodding in agreement.
Melting Pots and Psychotic Dickens
Houser, almost like a modern-day Shakespeare with a penchant for chaos, referred to the melting pots of cities like LA. “You got your glitz, your glamour, a little underbelly, and a dash of enormous wealth—all suitable ingredients for a buffet of chaos,” he mused. It’s almost like a psychotic version of one of Dickens’ classics, where instead of pickpockets, you’ve got flying cars and over-the-top heists. The key message? These American cities are what make the magic happen.
The Great London Debate
When Houser was asked whether there had ever been inklings at Rockstar about setting a mainline game in London, the answer was a polite, yet resounding “no.” “Sure, we toyed with the idea during the ‘cute and fun’ phase of GTA London decades ago,” he admitted. “But asking it to evolve into a full-blown 3D epic? Ah, that was as likely as Liverpool winning a dog show!”
Simply put—while London boasts a wealth of character, the games are steeped in American culture. “You needed guns, larger-than-life personalities looting upscale boutiques, and the ever-popular art of sidestepping arrest,” he explained. “It was hard to emulate that spirit anywhere else.”
In Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway from this delightful back-and-forth? While London’s red buses and double-decker fun may be compelling, the essence of a Grand Theft Auto narrative lies firmly rooted in the land of hamburgers and Hollywood dreams. There might be no plans to grace London with a full 3D experience, but one can start conjuring up visions of chaos and mischief pouring over the Thames, right? Just remember—not all heroes wear capes, some simply steal cars.
