Launch of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
October 26th, 2004
October 26th, 2004
How Long Ago?
20 years, 4 months, 17 days ago
Location
North America
Category
Entertainment
People
- Dan Houser
- Sam Houser
- Leslie Benzies
Links & References
Tags
Launch of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar Games launched Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PlayStation 2 in North America, rapidly becoming a fan favorite. The title is known for its expansive open world, complex narrative, and engaging gameplay mechanics. In no time, it achieved sales of 12 million units, securing its position as the best-selling game for the console. The game's success can be attributed to its innovative features and the franchise's growing popularity.
Set in a fictional state with three cities.
Introduced deep character customization features.
Became best-selling PS2 game with 12 million copies.
Explored themes of crime and family dynamics.
What Happened?
The release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas marked a significant milestone in the gaming industry. Developed by Rockstar North, the game offered players an unprecedented open-world experience set in the fictional state of San Andreas, which comprised three diverse cities: Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. Players stepped into the shoes of Carl 'CJ' Johnson, who returns home after several years to find his family and community in disarray. The game tackled themes of crime, loyalty, and the pursuit of the American dream, resonating deeply with players.
San Andreas also introduced groundbreaking features, including a deep character customization system, a dynamic weather system, and a vast amount of side missions that enriched gameplay. The game's narrative depth and branching storylines allowed players to engage with the environment and the characters in ways that previous titles could not. Its rich soundtrack, featuring various genres, added another layer of immersion.
Upon its launch, San Andreas not only shattered sales records by selling over 12 million copies for the PlayStation 2 but also received critical acclaim, solidifying Rockstar Games' reputation as a powerhouse in the video game industry. The success of San Andreas paved the way for future iterations in the Grand Theft Auto series and influenced countless open-world games that followed.
Why Does it Matter?
The impact of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas resonates within the gaming landscape as it is considered a landmark title that set new standards for open-world gameplay. Its narrative and gameplay mechanics have influenced all subsequent releases in the franchise and elevated the video game medium as a whole. The game's sales success showcased the enormous market potential for the gaming industry, changing how games are marketed and distributed in the years that followed.
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