History of Grand Theft Auto (1984 - 2021) | Documentary 

Minor Corrections: -Claude mispronounced. -It's "Zed-X Spectrum" not Z-X-Spectrum -Prototype footage of GTA1 and its associated design documents has been blurred (changes still processing atm) -GTA2 was the first game to increase wanted level from 4 ->6, I never explicitly said GTA3 was the first to do this - but I just wanted to clarify as I didn't mention the increase in GTA2 -Double-Decker* Bus - not Triple-Decker. Must've had harry potter on the brain when recording that bit. -Michael is "technically" not in witness protection, as many have noted - though it is implied initially. The concept is based on real-life criminals like Henry Hill that became FBI informants, only there's more to it than that. Throughout the story - Michael's relationship with the "FIB" is expanded upon more to reveal the truth about what happened (trying to avoid spoilers here) ________________________________________________ Be sure to check out Mike Dailly's fantastic articles he wrote on the history of DMA Design: bbs.dmadesign.org/ He also has his own RU-vid channel with tons of archival footage I highly recommend looking into: ru-vid.com/show-UCjqT02Q95o9o6_8wUsbOd6A ________________________________________________ Hey everyone! Kept you waiting huh? I present to you - my biggest project to date: The entire history of the Grand Theft Auto series, from the formation of DMA all the way up to the current state of GTAOnline. This series has a rich history, and one that I felt deserved no compromise - which is why I spent the last 4 weeks straight researching, writing, and editing to bring you what I feel is the most complete overview of the series. To give you an idea of how much work into this one, I captured over 6 Terabytes of 4K footage, wrote a 60+page script, and managed to watch the entire 19 seasons of Family Guy in the background... gotta say... the later seasons aren't as bad as I remembered them being - still fun to watch. For those of you wondering about Resident Evil Village, Mass Effect, and Returnal - yes those are all planned still. I just finished REVillage yesterday and am working on a comparison now. Mass Effect is next. Returnal coverage is delayed because my PS5 completely bricked on me while playing (it's been sent to Sony now for repairs - super annoying.....) Stay tuned for more coverage of all the latest games! Schedule will return to normal now :)

“... The pedestrians will say absurd things as you pass them” Pedestrian: *Mah mother’s my sister.* I spit out my drink 😂😂😂

Your documentary skills are insane. The fact that what you created is free on RU-vid is mind boggling. You pushed the bar, and you should be proud of that

The amount of time and effort that went into this video is insane. Props to the creator

Here, after the first trailer for Gta 6 dropped. What a time to be alive. 2025 🎉

The thing that impressed me the most about playing GTA for the first time back then, was the radio stations.

This thing deserve a spot on Netflix in documentary genre.

I did not expect to watch this whole thing but here we are. This was incredible

By the length and the quality of this documentary I can tell that a lot of passion and research went into this. Thanks for over 2 hours of GTA nostalgia and infotainment!

It seems like such a small thing now, but playing the original GTA on PC, you could put a music CD into your computer and the in-game radio in the car would play a random song from the CD in place of the radio station. As a kid, it was utterly amazing and blew my mind!

My type of movie-night. *Grabs popcorn*

who’s here after the gta 6 trailer dropped

I don’t care what it takes but everyone who watched the gta vi trailer needs to see this video. It’s like a spiritual journey connecting the dots with everything that’s happened so far.

Other Developers: “how do we make a gaming masterpiece?” Rockstar North: the secret ingredient is *CRIME*

I have a feeling that THIIIIISSSSSSSS video will be one of those videos that I regularly come back to.

As someone from Dundee, it’s great seeing DMA having a good story told in GTAs history. Great video!

I never knew the first 2 games weren't well received by critics. Back then we didn't have many computer magazines in Estonia, everything was word to mouth and they were WILDLY popular among players.

This is so gonna blow up when they finally reveal GTA6.

GTA is simply one of those franchises that got a lot of people into gaming in the first place

GTA 3 is still my favorite in the series. Also, you'd neglected to mention that in Vice City, you were able to shoot people inside their cars through their car windows, and you were also able to shoot their tires.

I honestly, can't believe, that it has been 10 years since the last GTA entry. It feels like it's been so long, I really hope they can produce something amazing in 6, the wait has been too long and if it falls on its face, I don't know what will happen to this beloved game series.

I'm so old I played every one of these games on their release aside from GTA:London which I wasn't able to pick up till much later. When GTA 3 was released it was astounding. It's difficult to explain to folks what a huge impact GTA 3 actually made on the industry as a whole. There really weren't any games at all that were open world and 3D at the time. It was really the first time you saw that games and entertainment could be limitless. GTA games will always be a day 1 purchase for me.

Vice City is a masterpiece, with the best soundtrack as well.

I've watched this several times now, and it gets better each time. Given the amount of time spent playing these games, the awesome memories, this documentary is incredibly special to me. THANK YOU!

After years of asking for GTA, my mom finally said yes and bought my Vice City in 2009-2010 when I was 14 or 15. That one and San Andreas were my favorites. Didn't play 4 much. By the time 5 came out, I wasn't gaming much anymore. I'm %100 getting in early on 6 though 😏

The fact you do a 1-2 hour documentary every 2-3 months, and 15-20 minute videos every week is just MIND-BOGGLING

the gta 4 intro hits harder than an abusive uncle

I don’t even play video games anymore, but I loved the documentary and style which you narrated it. Good stuff

I worked at Gremlin Interactive in Sheffield from 1994 to 1997 and some of us still have our original GTA dev CDs

25 minutes in, the documentary is simply amazing and you can immediately see how much effort was put into this! This'll be the best "History of GTA" video on YT without any doubts

I think GTA4’s police interactions were the most realistic. The fact they aren’t alerted to crimes in alleyways and unpopulated locations where there are no witnesses was nice compared to GTAV’s psychic cops.

GTA 4 will always be the best, the leap was ridiculous. GTA 5 improved on the playground aspect but the immersion in 4 is immense and being able to go into buildings buy items to use, nightclubs etc made the city feel more real and alive. The story was incredible and felt more personal than GTA 5.

Damn! This documentary is freaking amazing. So much detail and research. I don’t know how it popped up on my home feed but I’m glad it did.

GTA3 was one of the best Christmas gifts I ever received.

Major props to Nick for not including spoilers. Most people don't care as these games are nearly 20 years old, but there's a surprising number of folks who've never played SA or even GTA IV

I am so glad to searched about a GTA history. This is one of the best videogame documentary I ever watched, and I am in the mid right now. Curious about your other documentaries. This is top notch!

Awesome documentary! When I saw the length of this video I thought there’s no way I’m watching this whole thing. I actually watched half and came back to watch the rest. That’s extremely rare for me with a RU-vid video. Really great Job!

"My Mother is My sister!" -GTA 3 Civilian.

Nick I think you’ve earned a vacation after making this.

You’ve done an amazing job. This was great to watch through its entirety! Thanks 🎮🎮🎮

i watched your 2 hour documentary in one sitting just like i would a movie! your massive work is equally as impressive as rockstar's! GTA is truly one of, if not the best video game series ever made!

Been playing GTA since the age of 13 in 1997 until today at the age of 37, played every title, apart from 1 or 2 expansions, seeing them early games bought on a massive wave of nostalgia, GTA has come a long way. This was a top documentary, thank you.

It is finally here! The wait was worth it, like it will be with GTA 6. I hope

Very well done video! GTA is a legendary game series. Especially because of the realismrealized by the music played in the radio and the architecture. They really captured the whole feeling of the time and city portrayed, 2000s New York, 80s Miami and 90s Los Angeles.

One of the best documentaries i've ever seen , I didn't even realise when 2 hours and a half passed ! Greatest documentary on youtube and also a very interesting history of such an important series of games,

Sweet jesus it's a movie!

There’s something about San Andreas’ design that makes it feel larger than GTA V. I’m hoping they incorporate that into the next entry, and make it a Multi city state.

What an amazing piece of work you've made here. Great video man

2 hours?!? This is going to be a movie night 🎥 🍿 (#NickAndChill).

I gotta say, I’m not even really into gaming, consoles, PCs etc etc. But I clicked on this, semi-at random, and... wow, I watched the whole thing. It was better than many, many movies I’ve seen lately. Seriously, the amount of work you must have put in to produce such a comprehensive history of the GTA saga is mind-blowing, and could legit be released as a documentary or even movie on a Netflix-type platform. The scripting, production, the way you bring thing full-circle...... a 5* standing ovation is deserved! And this all coming from a non-gaming type o’ guy!

I can't even begin to describe to the younger ones what it was like to get GTA3. I waited weeks to rent it at Blockbuster because I was dirt poor and couldn't buy a copy. The weekend I finally got it, I don't think I slept that entire weekend. Was like nothing I'd ever played before. Crazy to think what it and Rockstar became.

The leap between vice city vs San Andreas was unbelievable. UNBELIEVABLE! It’s 20 years later and I still love playing it and trying to get 100%

I just spend two hours of my day watching this documentary and I’m glad to say that I enjoyed every minute of it

There's no shortage of people failing as parents looking for everything to blame but themselves.

You're a treasure, Nick. Thank you for this.

What a great video! You make us relive these games again. Well done!

Gotta love when you find a gem documentary that isn't riddled with ADs that ruin the experience and the creator of the content is genuinely doing the documentary outta love for the information they are presenting.

I can't believe GTA V came out in 2013. I still play it to this very day. Amazing documentary skills. It's rare to find such a long video that is so easy to watch. You got a sub.

I completely expected this video to be another one of those who would show the franchise and dip but watched something more enjoyable to watch. This completely looks like someone put effort in making this. It most definitely earns a sub😊

My God what a quality video! Amazing job as always.

9 months for Vice City - unbelievable.

I've got a 7 hour drive ahead of me in a few days... Coming back to listen in then. Can't wait :)

The Best Documentary ever done about GTA SERIES. i'm really enjoy and learn more about GTA FROM THIS CHANNEL . Nicely Well Done to you👍

This was amazing. Kudos Nick930

Brings me back to simpler times when the name Rockstar brought excitement to mind, rather than distaste of their modern business practices...

This was the ultimate GTA documentary and exceeded all my expectations. Great job!

Just stumbled on this video. I'm ~12 mins in. Just wanted to say thank you. I can already tell this is super well produced content that took a lot of work to make.

Wow. That was in depth and must have taken FOREVER to create. Well done.

50:17 I forgot, in Vice City, you had actual Miami Vice-like detective duo in a Ferrari come after you at a certain wanted level.

Wow, i just watched my whole childhood in 2h. Can’t imagine how much work went into this. I think this Video should be included with GTA 6, also Rockstar should put this on their website.

Reflecting on what ive just wtached, that was a EPIC video, showing every core advancement of game dynmics as a whole and unforgettably within GTA, huge respect to the video creator and the developers and contributors to the whole GTA franchise....and games alike

What an insane amount of work and research. Super fun to watch, intriguing business story. Thanks!

My mom saw me shooting police on GTA when I was younger so she threw the disc away. My dad secretly went and bought me a new one. 😂😂

I remember skipping school to play vice city. This video is pure Nostalgia

What an epic documentary, you sir absolutely killed it. Since playing GTA 2 as a kid in the 90s I was immediately hooked, and when GTA 3 came out and I saw it in 3D for the first time, I became obsessed with this franchise. I remember every new release since then. Every time a new GTA came out it was like a 2nd birthday for me. So this video really took me back to my childhood. Seeing all the game footage, and hearing all the theme songs, it's a massive nostalgia trip for me. Even GTA 5, which came out when I was already an adult (well, I was 20), hearing its soundtrack makes me so nostalgic for those times. I might have to reinstall them all from GTA3 onwards. I think I may even have all the original CDs/DVDs from 2000s. See if they hold up today haha.

That was an amazing watch for people that have followed series from the beginning amd play almost all of them well the main console ones at least, great content ⭐️

I love how he’s putting everything in one video. That’s freaking hard work and again I’m so proud of you.

I never personally saw the "grinding" if you will in Vice City to be all that bad to fully complete the game. Yes, many of the side missions felt a little tedious, but that game in its entirety was a lot of fun. Arguably one of the best GTA games ever made.

Video well done! I couldnt stop watching this. Very well written.

Awesome documentary. Very chill and educational. Thank you!

I actually forgot about the home invasions in GTA San Andreas, I miss those

Man, GTA IV was such a masterpiece. To me its still my favorite video game up to this day. I just hope R* would make another deep and grounded game like this one.

This was incredible to watch and I enjoyed every second of it! Thank you for your hard work. The only thing I can think of that you didn't include is GTA V's Director mode, I really enjoyed using that. lol

GTA VI trailer brought me here. Cause for celebration.

Nick, my dude, you smash these out with "A" grade production quality, this video is massive and I watched it all, what a champ, you deserve more subs man.

Currently replaying GTA IV and it's definitely my favorite. Feels way more mature while still having typical gta comedy. I wish Vice City would get a proper remake with the Euphoria psychics engine.

Excellently made video - especially well edited.

Great job! A whole GTA documentary! I don’t recall not one ad ❤

Gonna be hard for GTA6 to top GTAV with Dan Houser finally stepping aside. His love of film and music really drove the series to where it is.

Honestly, I remember being in high school when GTA3 came out and reading thr playstation gaming mag and read that you can pop wheels and shoot people through windows in their cars and not fully believing it. I still have the image in my mind of a corner with grass and a monorail over head and the character shooting aiming at the wheels. I remember before that game shooting the wheel either did nothing or the car explodes after enough bullets but the wheels popped ... kids will never know how big that was at the time!

Amazing documentary. Very well done. Thanks 👍🏾

I've watched this documentary a few times now lol it's just so well done. It captures so much, really paints the whole picture, and really makes me want to play. I'm replaying IV right now!

God bless you Nick for taking one for the team and doing this legit documentary. The oscars will be calling soon lol

the fact that "rooftop Rumble" made it into this doc about the entire franchise brings significant joy.

This was informative and excellently edited. I really enjoyed this. Took me way back and also told me a lot of things about the series I had no idea about.Thank you.

This was well done, but you forgot to mention that GTA (or Race 'n' chase) was based on the C64 game Miami Vice (1986) and was always the inspiration for Vice City.

I like how in Vice City on higher stars you get chased by a hot shot detective on a sleek Banshee in addition to the police and SWAT. It's like you're facing off against the hero of some 80's vigilante show, except this time he's the villain and you, the criminal, are the protagonist.

Somebody give this man an award, amazing documentary. I remember back when G4 was a thing, i always wanted to watch a History of GTA. That wouldn't have come close to this.

This video was so well put together! You explained perfectly and I learned alot about my favorite franchise! It is so crazy to know how this began and how it is now!

I can't watch this video without clowning on you for calling Claude "Cloud" 100 times lmao. Absolutely amazing documentary man, i appreciate your insane amount of work for this huge video.