It is the sequel to 1997's Grand Theft Auto, and the second main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. Grand Theft Auto 2 is a 1999 action-adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games.

The Story Behind Grand Theft Auto 2

Grand Theft Auto 2 (stylized as GTA2) is a 1999 action-adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games. Each gang in the game operates its own radio station, but these broadcasts are limited to specific areas. Grand Theft Auto 2 was developed by DMA Design in Dundee under the lead programmer Keith Hamilton.

The Character Selection theme is based on the classic Brazilian song "Chega de Saudade". The short film was devised as an introductory sequence for the game, and was made available on Rockstar Games's website. Set within a retrofuturistic metropolis known as "Anywhere City", the game focuses on players taking the role of a criminal as they roam an open world, conducting jobs for various crime syndicates and having free rein to do whatever they wish to achieve their goal.

How Grand Theft Auto 2 Plays

The time period the game is set in is not specified—conflicting sources suggest anything from "three weeks into the future", to the year being 2013, despite in-game references to the "new millenium" that is coming (implying the game takes place around its time of release, in 1999). Points are awarded from various criminal actions, such as destroying cars, selling vehicles, and completing missions for various crime syndicates, with the latter awarding more points than doing simple criminal actions. Being arrested or dying loses the player any equipment they found, and impacts their multiplier bonus.

The game introduced several features and improvements to the series. Other improvements include vehicles and pedestrians being more interactive with the game's environment—such as gang members engaging in fights with police—the presence of other criminals (such as muggers), a health meter, garages that can modify vehicles with special improvements, a selection of side missions ranging from running a taxi to driving a semi-truck, and groups of 'hidden' packages to find across the level. By doing jobs for a syndicate and completing them, the player gains respect with that syndicate, allowing them to take on tougher jobs with enough respect, but lose it with their chief rivals, locking them out of their jobs and making the syndicate's members hostile to the player.

Why Players Still Load It Up

The game's PlayStation version received a "Platinum" sales award (300,000 or more units in the United Kingdom) from ELSPA. The game went on to sell about 2 million copies worldwide. I will take this time to plead with Rockstar Games - just say no to GTA on GBA."

Grand Theft Auto 2s computer version received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom. Grand Theft Auto 2s gameplay elements received mixed reactions. IGNs Tal Blevins called them "average at best", and that the scenery is "hard to appreciate".

Grand Theft Auto 2 — Frequently Asked Questions