Rockstar Games has announced it is re-releasing remastered versions of past games from its popular Grand Theft Auto franchise, one of the best-selling game franchises in history.
Let’s break it down. Here’s what Rockstar said in the recent press release:
Later this month marks a very special anniversary for Rockstar Games: 20 years since the original release of Grand Theft Auto III — the game that set players loose in the sprawling, three-dimensional metropolis of Liberty City with a new and unprecedented sense of freedom and immersion. In addition to carving a new path for the open world genre, Grand Theft Auto III established Grand Theft Auto as a cultural phenomenon, alongside its two subsequent — and equally legendary — entries in the series, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
What does this mean for gamers? How much better can the game be than before and how much remastering can be done in these classic games to bring them up to current visual standards without losing their authentic look and feel? Should we expect GTA V quality graphics? Probably not since the games were build on different engines.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Grand Theft Auto fans who have supported the games over the past two decades. Your love and appreciation for these games has helped push the Grand Theft Auto series forward with every iteration.
In honor of the upcoming anniversary, today we are excited to announce that all three games will be coming to current generation platforms later this year in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Rockstar Games Launcher on PC. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will feature across-the-board upgrades including graphical improvements and modern gameplay enhancements for all three titles, while still maintaining the classic look and feel of the originals. We’re extremely excited to share more about these groundbreaking titles in the coming weeks — stay tuned!
To prepare for launch, we will begin removing existing versions of the classic titles from digital retailers next week. For more information, please visit Rockstar Games Support. In addition, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will be coming to iOS and Android in the first half of 2022.
This is an odd move. Why cease the digital distribution from retailers? Unless they want to do a last-minute push for gamers to repurchase the games on different platforms before they’re gone? The games will be available on IOS and Android, which may rule out any hope for super-enhanced 4k graphics.
Plus, as part of the 20th anniversary celebration for GTAIII, look for a cavalcade of special gear to collect in Grand Theft Auto Online throughout upcoming events this Fall, including commemorative clothing and liveries.
We’ll have more details on how to acquire these in the weeks ahead as part of our ongoing events in GTA Online. This month’s GTA Online events will also have some special surprises — including the upcoming possibility of some unusual activity occurring in and around Southern San Andreas…
This unfortunately sounds like more little things and nothing too major. We can only hope for more GTA blasts from the past to appear in GTA online, who knows maybe a bowling alley in Los Santos and an annoying cousin who constantly calls us to play darts or go bowling.
We are also continuing to improve and evolve GTA Online. As you may have noticed, we recently began cycling select Adversary Modes and Player Jobs in and out of the game. GTA Online offers a hugely diverse array of gameplay, hosting over 1,000 Rockstar-created Jobs and tens of millions more player-created Jobs since launch. By beginning to cycle the Rockstar-created Jobs in and out of the game over time, not only will we be freeing up space for new missions and modes in the future, but we are also improving the game’s matchmaking by focusing the community on a more streamlined list of Jobs from week-to-week.
This will also allow us to bring back Jobs at various times for special or seasonal events and help reduce some of the lesser-liked Jobs, as well as helping surface some of our slept-on classics or the community’s quirkier favorites alongside special bonuses, like this past week’s return of Offense Defense, Sumo, and more.
We are also looking at ways to improve the GTA Online experience for new and returning players in the upcoming release of GTA Online for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S next March – stay tuned to the Rockstar Newswire for details on this and more information about the expanded and enhanced releases of GTAV and GTA Online in the months to come.
While you might not be happy that jobs are being scaled back, let’s face it. We’re tired of waiting in long queues for boring jobs. This could be a good move.
And later this year, get ready to go on an exciting new adventure in GTA Online as some well-known contacts and familiar friends need your help in expanding their “legit business” — with many more surprises soon to be revealed!
If there’s another heist, let’s hope it’s more like Cayo Perico and soloable. Cayo Perico, which many love to hate is a great way for casual players to make big money in solo mode without the time sinks of repetitive business jobs. The last few content updates, Casino Heist and Cayo Perico have been well received and are popular parts of the game as it is today.
AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Shore News Network provides this article as a review of the product featured. Shore News Network is an Amazon Affiliate, but does not endorse or recommend the product featured above and is presented as an editorial assessment only. Please read our FTC Affiliate Disclosure to learn more. Links in this article may direct the reader to Amazon to purchase products and Shore News Network receives minimal compensation for items purchased.