Grand Theft Auto 6 creators cannot play new game yet

Developers wait for launch

Dave Jones and Brian Baglow are waiting to see what Rockstar Games has done for the new title. They hold pre-orders but have not accessed a playable copy before the official launch date. The original game launched in 1997 from DMA Design in Dundee, Scotland. Both men state they received no special treatment regarding access to the latest entry.

History of the franchise

The studio initially considered making a racing game called Race n Chase before creating the open world hit. Jones explained that allowing players to exit vehicles and steal cars created an interesting mix of gameplay mechanics. The original title sold slowly at first because people had to play it to understand its appeal. Word of mouth eventually drove sales while debates in the UK Parliament questioned its violent themes.

Marketing stunts and satire

Controversy surrounding the game was partly generated by publisher BMG Interactive as a viral marketing stunt rather than genuine concern. The original developers never considered whether their actions were controversial or if they should avoid controversy. Keza MacDonald from the Guardian describes the series as deeply satirical with humour rooted in an outsider perspective.