GTA San Andreas marks its 20th anniversary, blending nostalgia with gameplay

GTA SAN Andreas, the iconic game from Rockstar Games, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. This game holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, as it was the title that truly propelled the franchise into the mainstream during the Playstation 2 era. To mark this milestone, Obbe Vermeij, former technical director at Rockstar Games and a key figure in the creation of GTA: SA, shared some fascinating insights about the game’s development.

In a recent post on his X account, Vermeij revealed previously unknown details about the game. One of the most intriguing revelations was that the original concept for GTA: SA involved three separate maps for each city, rather than one large map encompassing all three. Players would have been able to travel between cities by train or plane, with each city having its own unique features, such as separate vehicles, police forces, and even pedestrians. This idea stemmed from the memory limitations of the PlayStation 2, as dividing the map into three cities would have reduced the need for higher hardware resources, which were scarce at the time.

Although the team initially started working on these three separate cities, they eventually decided to merge them into one massive map, creating the immersive open-world experience that players know and love. Despite the map being unified, each city retained its individual characteristics. This decision allowed for a seamless gameplay experience while still maintaining the separate identities of each city.

Vermeij also reminisced about the gaming landscape during the development of GTA: SA. Back then, digital distribution platforms were virtually nonexistent, and the internet was still in its infancy, with limited accessibility for many. Producing the initial batches of game DVDs took six weeks, and there was no room for error. Unlike today, patches and updates couldn’t be quickly applied.

With limited internet resources, players had far less information about the game, which only heightened the anticipation. They relied on trailers and a few shared images to form a general idea of what to expect. For highly anticipated releases like GTA: SA, stores would even stay open past midnight, allowing eager fans to purchase the game as soon as it was available.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of GTA: San Andreas, it’s fascinating to look back at the game’s development and how it pushed the boundaries of what was possible at the time. The evolution of technology and the gaming industry since then has been remarkable, but there’s something special about the nostalgia and anticipation that surrounded the release of a game like GTA: SA. So, here’s to 20 years of unforgettable moments in the virtual streets of San Andreas!

Technology Explained

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