Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Difference between revisions

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| title = Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
| title = Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
| image = Vice-city-cover.jpg
| image = Vice-city-cover.jpg
| developer = [[Rockstar North]]{{efn|[[Rockstar Vienna]] ported the game to [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/take-two-closes-rockstar-vienna/1100-6150769/ | title = Take-Two closes Rockstar Vienna? | last = Sinclair | first = Brendan | date = 11 May 2006 | website = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate = 13 November 2015}}</ref> and War Drum Studios ported the ''10th Anniversary Edition'' to [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wardrumstudios.com/wds2/index.php/projects?id=77 | title = Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | website = War Drum Studios | accessdate = 13 November 2015}}</ref> Rabcat Computer Graphics GmbH worked on the graphically updated vehicles used in the Xbox and mobile ports.<ref name="rabcat">{{cite web|url= http://www.rabcat.com/website_gameart/index.html |title= Projects|author= |publisher=Rabcat Computer Graphics GmbH |date=|accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref>}}
| developer = [[Rockstar North]]{{efn|[[Rockstar Vienna]] ported the game to [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]],<ref name="Vienna"/> and War Drum Studios ported the ''10th Anniversary Edition'' to [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]].<ref name="MC Mobile"/> Rabcat Computer Graphics worked on porting the vehicles to the Xbox version.<ref name="Rabcat"/>}}
| publisher = [[Rockstar Games]]
| publisher = [[Rockstar Games]]
| distributor = [[Take-Two Interactive]]
| distributor = [[Take-Two Interactive]]
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| engine = [[RenderWare]]
| engine = [[RenderWare]]
| series = ''[[Grand Theft Auto (series)|Grand Theft Auto]]''
| series = ''[[Grand Theft Auto (series)|Grand Theft Auto]]''
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Fire OS]]|[[iOS]]|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[OS X]]|[[PlayStation 2]]|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]}}
| platforms = {{Collapsible list |title=[[PlayStation 2]] |titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left |[[Android (operating system)|Android]]<br />[[Fire OS]]<br />[[iOS]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]<br />[[OS X]]<br />[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title = 27 October 2002|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:inherit;background:transparent;text-align:left|'''PlayStation 2'''{{Video game release|NA=27 October 2002|EU=8 November 2002|AUS=8 November 2002}}'''Microsoft Windows'''{{Video game release|NA=12 May 2003|EU=15 May 2003|AUS=21 May 2003}}'''Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA=31 October 2003|EU=2 January 2004|AUS=2 January 2004}}'''OS X'''{{Video game release|WW=12 November 2010}}'''iOS'''{{Video game release|WW=6 December 2012}}'''Android'''{{Video game release|WW=12 December 2012}}'''PlayStation 3'''{{Video game release|NA=29 January 2013|EU=30 January 2013}}'''Fire OS'''{{Video game release|WW=15 May 2014}}'''PlayStation 4'''{{Video game release|WW=5 December 2015}}}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title = 27 October 2002|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:inherit;background:transparent;text-align:left|'''PlayStation 2'''{{Video game release|NA=27 October 2002|EU=8 November 2002|AUS=8 November 2002}}'''Microsoft Windows'''{{Video game release|NA=12 May 2003|EU=15 May 2003|AUS=21 May 2003}}'''Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA=31 October 2003|EU=2 January 2004|AUS=2 January 2004}}'''OS X'''{{Video game release|WW=12 November 2010}}'''iOS'''{{Video game release|WW=6 December 2012}}'''Android'''{{Video game release|WW=12 December 2012}}}}
| genre = [[Third-person shooter]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
}}
'''''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'''''<!-- Please don't add the abbreviation "GTA: Vice City" here as it isn't used throughout the article and therefore isn't needed --> is an [[open world]] [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] [[video game]] developed by [[Rockstar North]] and published by [[Rockstar Games]]. It was released on 27 October 2002 for the [[PlayStation 2]] console, on 12 May 2003 for [[Microsoft Windows]], and on 31 October 2003 for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] console. It is the sixth title in the [[Grand Theft Auto (series)|''Grand Theft Auto'' series]].
'''''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City''''' is an [[open world]] [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] video game developed by [[Rockstar North]] and published by [[Rockstar Games]]. It was released on 22 October 2001 for the [[PlayStation 2]] console, on 12 May 2003 for [[Microsoft Windows]], and on 31 October 2003 for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. It is the sixth title in the [[Grand Theft Auto (series)|''Grand Theft Auto'' series]], and the first main entry since 2001's ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''. Set within the fictional Vice City, based on [[Miami]], the game follows [[Tommy Vercetti]] after he is caught up in a ambushed drug deal following his release from prison, and seeks out those responsible while building a criminal empire and seizing power from other criminal organisations in the city.


The game is played from a [[Third-person view|third-person perspective]] and its world is navigated on foot or by vehicle. The open world design lets players freely roam Vice City, consisting of two main islands. The game's plot is based on multiple real-life events in Miami such as Cuban, Haitian and Biker gangs, the 1980s [[crack epidemic]], the mafioso druglords of Miami and the dominance of [[glam metal]]. Much of the development work constituted creating the game world to fit the inspiration and time period; the development team conducted extensive field research in Miami while creating the world.
''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' is played from a [[Third-person view|third-person perspective]] in an open world environment, allowing the player to interact with the game world at their leisure. The game is set in 1986 within the fictional city of Vice City, which is heavily based on [[Miami]]. The plot is based on multiple real-life events in [[Miami]] such as [[Cubans|Cuban]], [[Haitians|Haitian]] and [[Biker gangs]], the 1980s [[crack epidemic]], the mafioso-''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]'' type drug lords of Miami and the 1980s dominance of [[glam metal]],{{efn|Games in the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series are grouped into distinct [[fictional universe]]s, which share interconnected plots and characters. The "3D universe" consists of ''Grand Theft Auto III'', ''Vice City'' (2002), ''[[Grand Theft Auto (Game Boy Advance)|Advance]]'' (2004), ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|San Andreas]]'' (2004), ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories|Liberty City Stories]]'' (2005), and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories|Vice City Stories]]'' (2006).<ref name="RockstarGTAUniverses">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/19861/grand-theft-auto-iii-your-questions-answered-part-one-claude-dar.html|title=Grand Theft Auto III: Your Questions Answered – Part One (Claude, Darkel & Other Characters) |author=R*Q |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |accessdate=23 November 2013}} '''Rockstar:''' "The “universes” are the worlds interpreted at different definitions, 2d, 3d and high definition, so we felt brands and radio / back ground characters would exist in both, but 3 dimensional characters would not."</ref>}} and it draws inspiration from 1980s' American culture. The [[Single-player video game|single-player]] story follows [[Tommy Vercetti]], a [[Mafia]] hitman who is released from prison. After his involvement in a drug deal gone wrong, Tommy seeks out those responsible while building a criminal empire and seizing power from other criminal organisations in the city.


Upon its release, the game was acclaimed by many reviewers who praised the music and gameplay, which uses a tweaked version of the game engine used in its [[Grand Theft Auto III|predecessor]]. However, its violent and sexual content has also been the source of much public concern and controversy. It became the best-selling video game of 2002, and has sold over 20 million copies as of 2011, making it the best-selling PlayStation 2 game until it was surpassed by its successor ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' in 2006. The game is cited as a landmark in video games for its far-reaching influence within the industry. The success of ''Vice City'' led to the creation of a [[prequel]], ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]'' (2006), which revisits the Vice City setting just two years prior.
Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, with praise particularly directed at its music and gameplay. However, the game also generated controversy, with criticism directed at the depiction of violence and racial groups. ''Vice City'' became the b est-selling video game of 2002, and has sold over 20 million copies. Considered one of the most significant titles of the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth generation]] of video games, it won year-end accolades, including [[Game of the Year]] awards from several [[Video game journalism|gaming publications]]. Since its release, it has received numerous ports to many gaming platforms. Its successor, ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', was released in October 2004, and a prequel, ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories|Vice City Stories]]'', was released in 2006.


== Gameplay ==
In December 2012, in celebration of the game's tenth anniversary, a mobile version of ''Vice City'' was released for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. The game has also been ported to various other platforms and services, such as [[OS X]] and the [[PlayStation Network]].
''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' is an [[action-adventure game]] played from a [[third-person view]]. Players complete missions—linear scenarios with set objectives—to progress through the story. It is possible to have several active missions running at one time, as some missions require players to wait for further instructions or events. Outside of missions, players can [[Nonlinear gameplay|freely roam]] the game's [[open world]], and have the ability to complete option side missions.<ref name="AllGame Review"/> Composed of two main islands and several smaller areas, the world is much larger in area than earlier entries in the series{{efn|Art director Aaron Garbut estimated that the area of Vice City is almost twice as large as ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s Liberty City, at over 4.25 million square meters.<ref name="GameSpot Level Design"/> The islands are unlocked to players as the story progresses.<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/>


[[File:Grand Theft Auto Vice City motorcycle gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|Players can drive motorcycles in ''Vice City'', unlike previous entries in the series.|alt=Gameplay screenshot of the player character driving a motorcycle through a busy city street.]]
== Plot ==
In 1986, [[Tommy Vercetti]], a loyal and former member of the Forelli Family, is released from prison after having spent 15 years inside for the murder of 11 men in [[Liberty City (Grand Theft Auto)|Liberty City]]. Tommy's former boss, [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Sonny Forelli|Sonny Forelli]], fearing that his presence will heighten tensions between the other Liberty City families and bring unwanted attention to his own organisation's criminal activities, ostensibly promotes Tommy to a capo and sends him to Vice City to act as the Forelli's buyer for a series of [[cocaine]] deals, under the guardianship of a crooked lawyer and Sonny's contact, [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Ken Rosenberg|Ken Rosenberg]]. Sonny's interest for the deals is to help expand his family activities down into the South, overrun the Liberty drug market with the high-end cocaine from Vice City, and thus hopefully create a monopoly on the Liberty City drug ring that will establish the Forelli Crime Family as the best in the city. When Tommy and his bodyguards arrive in Vice City, Ken takes them to the deal's site at the dock, where they meet with the prominent drug kingpin of the Vance Crime Family, [[Victor Vance]], brought in by chopper by his brother, [[Lance Vance]]. Just before they settle the deal on the drugs, the group are ambushed by several armed and masked men, who kill Victor and Tommy's bodyguards. Tommy narrowly escapes with Ken from the docks, losing the Forelli's money and the cocaine in the process. After Ken returns to his office, Tommy drives back to his hotel and informs Sonny, promising him under the threat of consequences to get back the drugs and money, and kill whoever was responsible for the ambush.


Players may run, jump or use vehicles to navigate the game's world. In combat, [[auto-aim]] can be used as assistance against enemies.<ref name="GameSpot PC Review"/> Should players take damage, their health meter can be fully regenerated through the use of health pick-ups.<ref>{{harvnb|Rockstar North|2002|p=9}}</ref> [[Personal armor|Body armour]] can be used to absorb gunshots and explosive damage, but is used up in the process.<ref name="GameSpot Walkthrough"/> When health is entirely depleted, gameplay stops, and players [[Spawning (video game)|respawn]] at the nearest hospital, at the expense of losing all weapons and armour, and an amount of money.<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/>
Seeking information, Ken points him towards [[Juan Garcia Cortez]], a retired Colonel and the man who organised the deal between the Vances and Forellis. Expressing regret for the matter, Cortez promises to help Tommy find out who masterminded the ambush plot, while introducing him to his daughter [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Mercedes Cortez|Mercedes]], who becomes Tommy's confidante shortly thereafter. In the process of finding leads, Tommy soon meets with and works with some of Vice City's residents as an errand boy and a [[hitman]], including cocky 21-year-old [[Great Britain|British]] record producer [[Kent Paul]], real estate mogul [[Avery Carrington]], and [[Lance Vance]], younger brother of Victor and the underboss of the now-defunct Vance Crime Family, who wants revenge for the death of his brother and also wants the Vance Crime Family back on the map.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/493118/page_11.html |title=Guides: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Guide (PC) |publisher=Guides.ign.com |date=13 May 2003 |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> As time passes, Tommy also meets with a drug baron named [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Ricardo Diaz|Ricardo Diaz]], who is impressed with his skills after he protects him during a deal with a group of Cubans by killing a gang of Haitians that ambush it, and thus hires to him to help with his own agenda.


If players commit crimes while playing, the game's law enforcement agencies may respond as indicated by a "[[Fugitive|wanted]]" meter in the [[HUD (video gaming)|head-up display]] (HUD). On the meter, the displayed stars indicate the current wanted level<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> (for example, at the maximum six-star level, efforts by law enforcement to incapacitate players become very aggressive). Law enforcement officers will search for players who leave the wanted vicinity. The wanted meter enters a cooldown mode and eventually recedes when players are hidden from the officers' line of sight.<ref name="GameRev Review"/>
After Tommy kills Cortez's lieutenant [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Gonzalez|Gonzalez]], who was partially held responsible for the ambush on Tommy's cocaine deal, Cortez voices his suspicion that Diaz might have been behind the ambush. Tommy decides to continue the status quo with Diaz until he can prepare an attack, but has his hand forced when Lance attempts to take revenge by himself and fails. Upon rescuing him from a junkyard, Tommy and Lance quickly raid Diaz's mansion and execute Diaz. With Diaz dead and Cortez forced to leave the city after stealing French military property, the established drug empires in Vice City soon begin to quickly crumble, allowing Tommy and Lance to personally take over and become Vice City's drug kingpins. In the process, this allows Tommy to create his own organisation, the Vercetti Crime Family, allowing him to distance himself from the Forelli Family and Liberty City so that he can personally control Vice City rather than doing so as a Forelli puppet.


The game lets players control the criminal [[Tommy Vercetti]]. During the story, Tommy meets various new characters from gangs. As players completes missions for different gangs, fellow gang members will often defend players, while rival gang members will recognise players and subsequently shoot on sight. While free roaming the game world, players may engage in activities such as a [[vigilante]] minigame, a [[fire fighting]] activity, and a [[taxi cab]] service. Completion of these activities grants players with context-specific rewards; for example, completing the vigilante mission allows players to [[bribe]] police after committing a crime.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> As Tommy builds his criminal empire, players have the ability to purchase a number of properties distributed across the city, some of which act as additional hideouts where weapons can be collected and vehicles can be stored.<ref name="Edge Review"/> There is also a variety of business which can be purchased, including a [[film studio]], a [[Taxicab|taxi]] company, and several entertainment clubs. Each commercial property has a number of missions attached to it, such as eliminating competition or stealing equipment; once all missions are complete, the property begins to generate an ongoing income available to players.<ref name="GameRev Review"/>
Building up his empire, Tommy works with the Cuban's leader, [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Umberto Robina|Umberto Robina]], in their fight against the Haitians, despite their leader, [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Auntie Poulet|Auntie Poulet]], hypnotising him to assist her in fighting the Cubans. After destroying the Haitian's drug factory, Umberto becomes Tommy's partner in the drug trade. Along with his help, Tommy earns the respect and friendship of [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Big Mitch Baker|Big Mitch Baker]], leader of a biker gang and a [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] veteran, whose bikers work alongside the Cubans to become protectors of Vercetti family business. Along with working for the bikers and Cubans, Tommy also becomes a personal bodyguard to [[glam metal]] band Love Fist, pulls a major bank heist, and expands his drug business by buying up assets in nearly bankrupt companies and turning them back into a competitive business, in the process using them as a front to either produce or distribute drugs, launder money, control the underground movie scene, or operate as a chop shop. But as Tommy becomes more powerful and rich, he soon begins to suspect Lance is up to something when the latter begins slowly exhibiting [[paranoid schizophrenia|paranoia]] and [[Psychopathy|sociopathic]] behaviours, to the point that he begins to abuse his own bodyguards and constantly call Tommy in states of hysteria, losing his mind over being just a powerless second-in-command as he was under his brother for the past 2 years.


Players use [[Melee#Use in gaming|melee]] attacks, firearms and explosives to fight enemies. The firearms include weapons such as the [[Colt Python]], an [[M60 machine gun]] and a [[Minigun]].<ref name="IGN Guns"/><ref name="IGN Inside 3"/> The game's three-dimension environment allows a [[first-person view]] while aiming with the [[sniper rifle]] and [[rocket launcher]]. In addition, the game's combat allows players to commit [[drive-by shooting]]s by facing sideways in a vehicle.<ref name="GameRev Review"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/> The game gives players a wide variety of weapon options—they can be purchased from local [[firearms dealer]]s, found on the ground, retrieved from dead enemies, or found around the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Rockstar North|2002|p=14}}</ref>
Eventually, Sonny discovers that Tommy has gained complete control over Vice City's drug trade without sending a single dime back to the Forelli family. Enraged that Tommy has become independent and is hustling him, Sonny sends high-ranking Forelli members to forcefully collect money from Tommy's assets. Tommy quickly disposes of them and soon decides to sever his ties with the Forelli family after they injure the elderly operator of his counterfeit money operation. Sonny arrives to the Vercetti Estate with a small army of mafiosi, and demands his tribute under threat of force, but just as Tommy attempts to give it in counterfeit money, Sonny reveals that he felt his business would have been taken over by Tommy, thus he was set up fifteen years ago when he was sent to kill the eleven men he went to prison for. Lance then exposes Tommy's attempted deception, revealing himself as a traitor after admitting to having informed Sonny about Tommy's activities in Vice City. Lance explains that he did so because Tommy started to disown him and was not treating him equally, and so wanted him dead so he could rebuild the Vance Crime Family and the fortune that he once had with his brother.


== Plot ==
Angered at this betrayal, Tommy starts a gunfight, in which he chases and ridicules Lance, before killing him for his treachery. Heading through his estate, the gunfight eventually culminates in Sonny's death, allowing Tommy to establish himself as the undisputed crime kingpin of Vice City, before reassuring Ken, who arrives and is shocked by events, that everything is fine.
In 1986, [[Tommy Vercetti]] ([[Ray Liotta]]), a loyal and former member of the Forelli Family, is released from prison after 15 years inside. His former boss, Sonny Forelli ([[Tom Sizemore]]), ostensibly promotes Tommy to a [[capo]] and sends him to Vice City to act as the Forelli's buyer for a series of [[cocaine]] deals. When Tommy and his bodyguards arrive in Vice City, crooked lawyer Ken Rosenberg ([[William Fichtner]]) takes them to the deal's site at the dock. They are ambushed by several armed and masked men, who kill their bodyguards. Tommy narrowly escapes with Ken from the docks, losing the Forelli's money and the cocaine in the process. After Ken returns to his office, Tommy drives back to his hotel and informs Sonny, promising him under the threat of consequences to get back the drugs and money, and kill whoever was responsible for the ambush.


Seeking information, Ken points Tommy towards Juan Garcia Cortez ([[Robert Davi]]). Expressing regret for the matter, Cortez promises to help Tommy find out who masterminded the ambush plot. In the process of finding leads, Tommy meets Ricardo Diaz ([[Luis Guzmán]]), who hires him. Cortez soon voices his suspicion that Diaz might have organised the ambush. With the help of Lance Vance ([[Philip Michael Thomas]]), whose [[Victor Vance|brother]] died in the ambush, Tommy kills Diaz; as a result, Tommy and Lance become Vice City's drug kingpins, allowing Tommy to create his own organisation and distance himself from the Forelli family. Building up his empire, Tommy works with the Cuban's leader Umberto Robina ([[Danny Trejo]]) in their fight against the Haitians. After destroying the Haitian's drug factory, Umberto becomes Tommy's partner in the drug trade. Along with his help, Tommy earns the respect and friendship of Mitch Baker ([[Lee Majors]]), leader of a biker gang, whose bikers work alongside the Cubans to become protectors of Vercetti family business. Tommy also expands his drug business by purchasing assets in nearly bankrupt companies and turning them back into a competitive business.
== Setting ==
The game is set in 1986 in fictional Vice City, which is based heavily on the city of [[Miami]] and [[Miami Beach, Florida]]. The game's look, particularly the clothing and vehicles, reflect (and sometimes parody) its 1980s' setting. Many themes are borrowed from the major films ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]'', ''[[Carlito's Way]]'',{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}, ''[[Donnie Brasco (film)|Donnie Brasco]]'' and ''[[Blow (film)|Blow]]'',{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} along with the hit 1980s television series ''[[Miami Vice]]''.<ref name="MiamiVice">{{cite web | url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/ | title=The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | publisher=''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' | date=December 7, 2012 | accessdate=August 26, 2014}}</ref> ''Vice City'' also parodies much of 1980s' popular culture in the cars, music, fashion, landmarks, and characters featured in the game.


Eventually, Sonny discovers that Tommy has gained complete control over Vice City's drug trade without compensating the Forelli family. Enraged that Tommy has become independent and is hustling him, Sonny sends high-ranking Forelli members to forcefully collect money from Tommy's assets. Tommy quickly disposes of them, and decides to sever his ties with Forelli family. Sonny arrives at his estate with a small army of [[mafiosi]], and demands his tribute under threat of force; as Tommy attempts to give the tribute in counterfeit money, Sonny reveals that he set Tommy up fifteen years prior, resulting in his prison sentence. Lance also reveals his partnership with Sonny, admitting to have informed Sonny about Tommy's activities in Vice City. Angered at this betrayal, Tommy chases and ridicules Lance before killing him for his treachery. Heading through his estate, the gunfight eventually culminates in Sonny's death, allowing Tommy to establish himself as the undisputed crime kingpin of Vice City, before reassuring Ken, who arrives and is shocked by events, that everything is fine.
[[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Ricardo Diaz|Ricardo Diaz's]] opulent mansion and the climactic battle which takes place in it are very similar to their counterparts in ''Scarface''.<ref name = "GTAScarface">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamechronicles.com/features/gtascarface/body.htm | title = Grand Theft Auto: Scarface - ''Examining Grand Theft Auto's Scarface Connection'' | author = Cliff O'Neill | work = GameChronicles | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref> Another reference is the game's overall storyline, as it is highly similar to the film, as is the design of the final mission. There are also more subtle references, such as an apartment hidden within the game with blood on the bathroom walls and a chainsaw (in a nod to the film's "chainsaw torture" scene),<ref name = "GTAScarface"/> or the pair of detectives who come chasing Tommy in a car resembling the [[Ferrari Testarossa]] after a three-star wanted level is attained, who look like characters portrayed by [[Don Johnson]] and [[Philip Michael Thomas]] in ''Miami Vice''.


== Characters ==
== Development ==
[[Rockstar North]] began to develop ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' in late 2001, around the time of ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''{{'}}s release.<ref name="Design Museum"/> Core development began in early 2002, and lasted about nine months.<ref name="Edge 2"/> After the development of the Windows version of ''Grand Theft Auto III'', the development team discussed creating a mission pack for the game which would add new weapons, vehicles and missions. Upon further discussion, the team decided to make this concept an individual game, which became ''Vice City''.<ref name="Digital Trends"/> The game was announced on 22 May 2002, during the [[E3 2002|Electronic Entertainment Expo]].<ref name="GameSpot Announcement"/> By 15 October 2002, development of ''Vice City'' stopped as the game was [[Software release life cycle#Release to manufacturing (RTM)|submitted for manufacturing]].<ref name="GameSpot Gold"/>
''Main article'': ''[[List of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City characters]]''


=== Setting ===
''Vice City'' features dozens of characters, many appearing only in the [[cut scene]]s which describe each mission. The voice-talent includes [[Ray Liotta]] as protagonist [[Tommy Vercetti]], [[Tom Sizemore]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Sonny Forelli|Sonny Forelli]], [[Robert Davi]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Colonel Juan García Cortez|Colonel Juan García Cortez]], [[William Fichtner]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Ken Rosenberg|Ken Rosenberg]], [[Danny Dyer]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Kent Paul|Kent Paul]], [[Dennis Hopper]] as pornography Director [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Steve Scott|Steve Scott]], [[Burt Reynolds]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Avery Carrington|Avery Carrington]], [[Luis Guzmán]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Ricardo Diaz|Ricardo Diaz]], ''Miami Vice'' star [[Philip Michael Thomas]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Lance Vance|Lance Vance]], [[Danny Trejo]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Umberto Robina|Umberto Robina]], [[Gary Busey]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Phil Cassidy|Phil Cassidy]], [[Lee Majors]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#"Big" Mitch Baker|"Big" Mitch Baker]], [[Fairuza Balk]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Mercedes Cortez|Mercedes Cortez]], and porn actress [[Jenna Jameson]] as [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Candy Suxxx|Candy Suxxx]]. The voice of [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Delores|the taxi dispatcher]] is provided by [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] singer [[Debbie Harry]].
The game is set in 1986 in fictional Vice City, which is based heavily on the city of [[Miami]] and [[Miami Beach, Florida]].<ref name="GameSpot Graphics"/> Vice City previously appeared in the original ''[[Grand Theft Auto (video game)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' (1997); the development team decided to reuse the location and incorporate ideas from within the studio and the fanbase.<ref name="IGN Inside 2"/> They wanted to satirise a location that was not contemporary, unlike ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s Liberty City.<ref name="Design Museum"/> The team wanted to choose a location that had various similarities and differences to [[New York City]]—the inspiration of Liberty City—eventually leading them to Miami, which producer [[Leslie Benzies]] describes as "a party town, all sun and sea and sex, but with that same dark edge underneath".<ref name="Digital Trends"/> Executive producer [[Sam Houser]] called it "the grooviest era of crime because it didn't even feel like it was crime ... it was a totally topsy-turvy back-to-front period of time".<ref name="Edge 1"/> The team intended to make Vice City a "living, breathing city", for the player to feel like "life still goes on" while the character is inside a building.<ref name="GameSpot Interaction"/>


The game's look, particularly the clothing and vehicles, reflect its 1980s setting. Many themes are borrowed from the major films ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]'' (1983) and ''[[Carlito's Way]]'' (1993),<ref name="GameSpot Graphics"/> the latter for its characterisation and portrayal of nuanced criminals. The television series ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (1984–89) was also a major influence, and was regularly watched by the team throughout development.<ref name="Crave"/> Art director Aaron Garbut used the series as a reference point in creating [[neon lighting]].<ref name="Edge 1"/> In recreating a 1980s setting, the team found it "relatively painless" due to the distinct culture of the time period, and the team's familiarity of the era.<ref name="Crave"/> The art team was provided with large volumes of research, as well as reference photographs from other members of the development team. The team organised field research trips to Miami shortly after the development of ''Grand Theft Auto III'', splitting into small teams and observing the streets.<ref name="Crave"/><ref name="IGN Unplugged"/>
Although the main character is not the same as the one in ''Grand Theft Auto III'', ''Vice City'' contains a few characters from ''GTA III'' at an earlier point in their lives. [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto III#Donald Love|Donald Love]], a business tycoon in ''GTA III'', makes an appearance as an apprentice to [[real estate]] mogul [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City#Avery Carrington|Avery Carrington]]. The one-armed [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto III#Phil Cassidy, the One-Armed Bandit|Phil Cassidy]] from ''GTA III'' appears in ''Vice City'' as well, with both arms intact, and one mission actually explains when and how he lost his arm.


=== Story and characters ===
Several of ''GTA III''{{'}}s radio hosts can also be heard in ''Vice City'': [[Lazlow]], who was the host of [[Reed Tucker|Chatterbox]], the talk radio station in ''GTA III'', is the DJ for the hard-rock station, [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City soundtrack#V-Rock|V-Rock]], in Vice City (he mentioned in passing in ''GTA III'' that he used to be a DJ on a rock station). Toni, the burned-out, female [[disc jockey]] of [[Flashback 95.6]], the 1980s music radio station in ''GTA III'', also appears as a young, club-hopping DJ in Vice City's pop music station, [[Flash FM]]. Finally, Fernando, a self-glorifying procurer of women ("not a [[pimp]]... a [[wikt:savior|savior]]", he claims) who appeared on Lazlow's show in ''GTA III'', runs [[Emotion 98.3]]. Also [[naturism|naturist]] Barry Stark, a caller for Chatterbox in ''GTA III'', appears as a guest on VCPR in ''Vice City''.
The team spent time "solving [the] riddle" of a speaking protagonist, a notable departure from ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s [[silent protagonist]] [[Claude (Grand Theft Auto)|Claude]].<ref name="GameSpot III"/> [[Ray Liotta]] portrayed protagonist Tommy Vercetti. Liotta described the role as challenging: "You're creating a character that's not there before ... It's so intensive". When recording the role, the team used [[Chroma key|blue screen]], in order to allow Liotta to visualise "how it's gonna move".<ref name="IGN Voice"/> The team ensured that players felt "real affinity" for Tommy, making the narrative a key development interest.<ref name="Design Museum"/> Dan Houser described Tommy as "strong and dangerous and prepared to wait for the right opportunity to arrive".<ref name="IGN Unplugged"/>


The majority of the game's animations were original, with very few borrowed from ''Grand Theft Auto III''. For the characters, the team used [[motion capture]] and [[stop motion]] animation techniques; cutscenes use the former, while gameplay movements use a combination of both techniques. The team encountered difficulty in animating motorcycle animations, due in part to the variety of models.<ref name="GameSpot Animation"/> Pedestrian character models use [[Skin (computing)|skins]] in ''Vice City'', allowing the artists to produce more realistic characters. There is a total of 110 pedestrian models throughout the game world, and about 50 story characters; each character has twice the amount of [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygons]] and [[Texture mapping|textures]] than in ''Grand Theft Auto III''.<ref name="GameSpot Graphics"/><ref name="IGN Unplugged"/> This also impacted the [[Game physics|character physics]], improving gameplay aspects such as weapon-hit accuracy.<ref name="GameSpot Physics"/> Some character models and scenarios were inspired by films such as ''[[The Godfather]]'' (1972), and the game's presentation was inspired by [[Action film|action]] television shows of the 1980s.<ref name="IGN Inside 1"/> The interplay between Tommy Vercetti and Lance Vance was crafted to be similar to the relationship of ''Miami Vice''{{'}}s [[Sonny Crockett]] and [[Ricardo Tubbs]].<ref name="Edge 4"/>
== Gameplay ==
[[File:GTAVC Skimmer.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of the player flying a seaplane]]
Because ''Vice City'' was built upon ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'', the game follows a largely similar gameplay design and interface with ''GTA III'' with several tweaks and improvements over its predecessor. The gameplay is open-ended, a characteristic of the ''[[Grand Theft Auto (series)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' franchise; although missions must be completed to complete the storyline and unlock new areas of the city, the player is able to drive around and visit different parts of the city at their leisure and otherwise, do whatever they wish if not currently in the middle of a mission. Various items such as hidden weapons and packages are also scattered throughout the landscape, as it has been with previous ''Grand Theft Auto'' titles.


=== Sound design and music production ===
Players can steal vehicles, ([[automobile|cars]], [[boat]]s, [[motorcycle]]s, [[tanks]], and [[helicopter]]s) partake in drive-by shootings, robberies, and generally create chaos like destroying vehicles. However, doing so tends to generate unwanted and potentially fatal attention from the police (or, in extreme cases, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and the [[United States Army National Guard|National Guard]]). Police behaviour is mostly similar to ''Grand Theft Auto III'', although police units will now wield [[night stick]]s, deploy [[spike strip]]s to puncture the tires of the player's car, as well as [[SWAT]] teams being rappelled down from flying police helicopters and [[Undercover operation|undercover police units]], ''à la''-''Vice Squad''. Police attention can be neutralised in a variety of ways.
The game features 8,000 lines of recorded dialogue, four times the amount in ''Grand Theft Auto III''. It contains over 90 minutes of [[cutscene]]s and nine hours of music,<ref name="IGN Unplugged"/> with more than 113 songs and commercials.<ref name="IGN Inside 4"/> The team was appealed by the challenge of creating the game's soundtrack, particularly in contrast to ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s music, which Sam Houser described as "clearly satirical and its own thing".<ref name="Edge 2"/> In developing the radio stations, the team wanted to reinforce the game's setting by collating a variety of songs from the 1980s, and performed extensive research accordingly.<ref name="IBTimes Soundtrack"/> The radio stations were published by [[Epic Records]] in seven albums—known collectively as ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set]]''—alongside the game in October 2002.<ref name="GameSpot Soundtrack 1"/><ref name="GameSpot Soundtrack 2"/> ''Vice City'' contains about "three times as much" [[talk radio]] than ''Grand Theft Auto III''. Producer and talk show host [[Lazlow Jones]] stated that the small percentage of station listeners that actually [[Phone-in|call in]] are "insane"; in ''Vice City'', the team "bumped it up a notch", emphasising the extremity. Dan Houser felt that the talk stations give depth to the game world.<ref name="GameSpot Radio"/>


== Critical reception ==
A new addition in the game is the ability of the player to purchase a number of properties distributed across the city. Some of these are additional hideouts (essentially locations where weapons can be collected, vehicles stored and the game saved). There are also a variety of businesses called "assets" which the player can buy. These include a [[film studio]], a dance club, a strip club, a [[taxicab|taxi]] company, an "ice-cream delivery business" (acting as a [[Front company#Organized crime|front company]]), a boatyard, a printing works, and a car showroom. Each commercial property has a number of missions attached to it, such as eliminating the competition or stealing equipment. Once all the missions for a given property are complete, the property will begin to generate an ongoing income, which the increasingly prosperous Vercetti may periodically collect.
=== Initial release ===
{{Video game reviews
| title = PlayStation 2 version reception
| MC = 95/100<ref name="MC"/>
| AllGame = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="AllGame Review"/>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge Review"/>
| EuroG = 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/>
| GameRev = A<ref name="GameRev Review"/>
| GI = 10/10<ref name="GameInformer Review"/>
| GSpot = 9.6/10<ref name="GameSpot Review"/>
| GSpy = 95/100<ref name="GameSpy Review"/>
| IGN = 9.7/10<ref name="IGN Review"/>
}}


''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' was released to critical acclaim. [[Metacritic]] calculated an [[Normalization (statistics)|average]] score of 95 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 62 reviews. It is Metacritic's highest-rated PlayStation 2 game of 2002,<ref name="MC"/> and the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 2 game overall, tied with a number of others.{{efn|''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' shares its status as the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 2 game on Metacritic with ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', ''[[Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec]]'' and ''[[Madden NFL 2003]]''. The PlayStation 2 games that are rated higher than ''Vice City'' are ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3]]'', ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'', ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]''.<ref name="MC PS2"/>}} Reviewers liked the game's sound and music,<ref name="AllGame Review"/><ref name="GameRev Review"/> open-ended gameplay,<ref name="GameInformer Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/> and open world design,<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/><ref name="GameSpy Review"/> though some criticism was directed at the controls and technical issues.<ref name="Edge Review"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/> [[IGN]]'s Douglass Perry declared it "one of the most impressive games of 2002",<ref name="IGN Review"/> and [[GameSpy]]'s Raymond Padilla named the experience "deep, devilishly enjoyable, and unique".<ref name="GameSpy Review"/>
Various [[gang]]s make frequent appearances in the game, some of whom are integral to story events. These gangs typically have a positive, neutral or negative opinion of the player and act accordingly by following the player or shooting at him. Shootouts between members of rival gangs can occur spontaneously and several missions involve organised fights between opposing gangs.


Reviewers generally considered the missions an improvement over ''Grand Theft Auto III'', although some noted occasional awkwardness and frustration.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="GameSpy Review"/> IGN's Perry wrote that the game's missions give players "a stronger feeling of being inside a story within a world that truly exists".<ref name="IGN Review"/> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Matt Helgeson found the missions to be more complex,<ref name="GameInformer Review"/> and AllGame's Marriott felt that the storyline was improved as a result. Marriott also found the lead character of Tommy to be more engaging than ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s [[Claude (Grand Theft Auto)|Claude]];<ref name="AllGame Review"/> IGN's Perry felt that Rockstar "found the right person and the right choice",<ref name="IGN Review"/> and ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' wrote that Tommy "sweats charisma", commending Ray Liotta's performance.<ref name="Edge Review"/>
''Vice City'' includes a larger selection weapons than ''Grand Theft Auto III''. Firearms such as the [[Colt Python]], [[TEC-9]], [[SPAS-12]], [[Ruger Mini-14]], [[MP5]], [[M60 machine gun]] and [[Minigun]] have been added in the game. A wide variety of melee weapons has also been introduced, including the [[chainsaw]], [[katana]], [[machete]], meat cleaver, [[screwdriver]], [[hammer]] and [[knife]].


[[Image:Grand Theft Auto Vice City open world.jpg|thumb|left|Vice City, the city featured in the game's open world. Reviewers praised its design and detail, noting that it felt more alive than ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s Liberty City.|alt=An urban city centre, surrounded by trees with a blimp in the sky, at sunset.]]
Optional side-missions are once again included, giving the player the opportunity to make pizza deliveries, drive injured people to a hospital with an ambulance, extinguish fires with a fire truck, deliver passengers in a taxi, be a vigilante, using a police vehicle to intercept (and kill) criminals, and the ability to drive a bus, transporting fare-paying passengers. Monetary rewards and occasional gameplay advantages (e.g. increased health and armour capacity and infinite sprinting) are awarded for completing different difficulty levels of these activities. Different sums of money are awarded for landing trick jumps in motorcycles or fast cars depending on the number of flips and height achieved.


The game's open world design was praised by reviewers, many of whom felt that it contained more detail and felt more alive than its predecessors.<ref name="AllGame Review"/><ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> GameSpy's Padilla made favourable comparisons between Vice City and ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s Liberty City, noting the former's level of detail.<ref name="GameSpy Review"/> [[Game Revolution]]'s Ben Silverman wrote that the game's depth is "unparalleled", praising the world's realism and detail,<ref name="GameRev Review"/> while [[AllGame]]'s Scott Alan Marriott commended the "ambitious scope in design".<ref name="AllGame Review"/>
=== Vehicles ===
In total, there are about 115 types of vehicles<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.g-unleashed.com/index.php?jump=8 | title=Vehicles GTA: Vice City | publisher=G-unleashed.com | accessdate=4 August 2011 }}</ref> in the game (including non-maneuverable vehicles and remote-controlled vehicles), compared to the approximate 60 in ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}. [[Taxicab]]s, [[automobile]]s and [[boat]]s return from the game (along with many others), while new additions include [[helicopter]]s and [[motorcycles]] (a citywide ban in 2001 in ''Grand Theft Auto III'' prohibited their use in [[Liberty City (Grand Theft Auto)|Liberty City]]). The car [[Game physics|physics]] and features are relatively similar to that of ''Grand Theft Auto III'', and some cars were added to the game, including a sportier variants of [[luxury car]]s and new sports cars, while some vehicles from that game were highly modified.


Marriott of AllGame named ''Vice City'' an "unforgettable listening experience",<ref name="AllGame Review"/> and Perry of IGN declared the music as "the most impressive list of songs in a game".<ref name="IGN Review"/> Many reviewers commended the game's radio stations and talk radio,<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/> and many felt that the game's collection of licensed 1980s music fit the tone and time period of the world.<ref name="GameRev Review"/><ref name="GameSpy Review"/> The voice acting also received praise;<ref name="GameInformer Review"/> [[GameSpot]]'s [[Jeff Gerstmann]] named the cast of characters "colorful and memorable",<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> and IGN's Perry found the voice acting "among one of the best of its kind".<ref name="IGN Review"/> Game Revolution's Silverman felt that the acting "gives the story credence".<ref name="GameRev Review"/>
The Skimmer plane is the only flyable fixed-wing [[aircraft]] in ''Vice City'', and because it features [[Float (nautical)|pontoons]] and is normally found in water, it is a [[floatplane]], a type of [[seaplane]]. It can land almost anywhere, in contrast to the jets in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''. It has been noted that the Skimmer's design is almost exactly like the Dodo aeroplane in ''Grand Theft Auto III''. Vehicle performance varies with location, some vehicles performing better off-road or on the street, while others perform better in the air or on land.


Many reviewers found that the game offers a better variety of vehicles than ''Grand Theft Auto III'',<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/><ref name="GameInformer Review"/><ref name="GameSpy Review"/> and found them easier to control;<ref name="GameRev Review"/> GameSpot's Gerstmann named the driving "more exciting and dangerous",<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> and IGN's Perry found the motorcycle's controls pleasing.<ref name="IGN Review"/> In addition to the vehicle handling, reviewers noted improvements in the targeting and shooting mechanics, although still recognised issues.<ref name="AllGame Review"/><ref name="GameRev Review"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/> Helgeson of ''Game Informer'' wrote that "targeting is improved to the point where combat can actually be fun".<ref name="GameInformer Review"/>
== Soundtrack ==
{{main article|Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set}}


Some reviewers recognised an improved [[draw distance]] over ''Grand Theft Auto III'', although many identified [[frame rate]] drops during hardware-intense sequences.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="GameSpy Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/> The changes in character models polarised reviews; while GameSpy's Padilla and IGN's Perry noted the improvement in character models,<ref name="GameSpy Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/> [[Eurogamer]]'s Tom Bramwell considered it "maddening to see that character ... models haven't been smartened up at all".<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> The game's [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|artificial intelligence]] and long [[Loader (computing)|load]] times were frequently criticised in reviews,<ref name="Edge Review"/><ref name="Eurogamer Review"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/> and many reviewers noted the awkward [[Virtual camera system|camera]] angles and environment during gameplay.<ref name="AllGame Review"/><ref name="Edge Review"/><ref name="GameInformer Review"/>
''Vice City'' includes a large collection of licensed music from 1986 and before. It can be listened to by means of various in-car [[radio station]]s. Each station covers a particular [[music genre]], such as [[hip hop music|rap]] music (Wildstyle), [[rock and roll|rock]] (V-Rock) and most predominantly [[pop music]] (Wave 103, Flash FM). The tracks are for the most part works from various real-life artists, such as [[Lionel Richie]], [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]], [[Megadeth]], [[Electric Light Orchestra]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]], [[Toto (band)|Toto]], [[Hall & Oates]], [[Kool & the Gang]], [[2 Live Crew]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Talk Talk]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[Thomas Dolby]], [[Iron Maiden]], or [[Mötley Crüe]]. Additionally, a talk station (K-Chat) and a [[public radio]] debate show ''Pressing Issues'' (VCPR) are included. The radio stations and the game's storyline also feature a fictional heavy metal band called [[Love Fist]].


=== Microsoft Windows version ===
In addition to music and interviews, the stations include satirical commercials, such as the Degenatron, a fictional [[video game console]]. The commercials and the game setting are consistent: Degenatron advertisements appear on billboards, and ads air for stores in which the player can shop, such as Ammu-Nation. Months before the release of ''Vice City'', Rockstar Games created a Degenatron "fansite",<ref>http://www.degenatron.com</ref> which allowed users to actually play the "[[emulator|emulated]]" games. There is also a commercial for the weapons store Ammu-Nation, a deodorant named "Pitbomb", which is a parody of [[Right Guard]], and a car called the Maibatsu Thunder, a parody of the [[Mitsubishi Starion]], which was a favoured import sports car of the day.
{{Video game reviews
| title = Windows version reception
| MC = 94/100<ref name="MC PC"/>
| AllGame = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="AllGame PC Review"/>
| EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer PC Review"/>
| GSpot = 9.6/10<ref name="GameSpot PC Review"/>
| GSpy = 93/100<ref name="GameSpy PC Review"/>
| IGN = 9.3/10<ref name="IGN PC Review"/>
}}

When ''Vice City'' was released to Microsoft Windows in May 2003, it received similar critical acclaim. Metacritic calculated an average score of 94 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 30 reviews.<ref name="MC PC"/> It was the highest-rated Windows game on Metacritic in 2003.<ref name="MC Top PC"/> Reviewers liked the visual enhancements,<ref name="GameSpot PC Review"/><ref name="GameSpy PC Review"/> and were generally positive towards the control improvements.<ref name="AllGame PC Review"/><ref name="Eurogamer PC Review"/><ref name="IGN PC Review"/>


The port's visuals received a positive response from reviewers. AllGame's Mark Hoogland praised the improved car details, environment textures, and weather effects;<ref name="AllGame PC Review"/> GameSpot's Greg Kasavin echoed similar remarks, nothing occasional frame rate drops.<ref name="GameSpot PC Review"/> GameSpy's Sal Accardo commended the draw distance improvements, identifying very few texture issues.<ref name="GameSpy PC Review"/> IGN's Steve Butts found the port's system requirements to be reasonable, unlike ''Grand Theft Auto III'', and praised the faster load times.<ref name="IGN PC Review"/> Eurogamer's Martin Taylor was critical of the visuals, stating that the higher resolutions "aren't kind to the overall visual quality", and criticising the hardware requirements.<ref name="Eurogamer PC Review"/>
The Windows and Mac versions of the game allow users to import MP3 songs, allowing them to hear their own music through vehicle radio when tuning to an extra radio station called "MP3". To be able to do this, the user must copy their MP3 files to a specific folder installed by the game.


The control changes of the port were generally well received. Most reviewers found the targeting and shooting mechanics to be improved with mouse and keyboard controls;<ref name="GameSpot PC Review"/><ref name="IGN PC Review"/> Eurogamer's Taylor called them "far more fluid",<ref name="Eurogamer PC Review"/> and GameSpy's Accardo wrote "there's simply no substitute for aiming with a mouse".<ref name="GameSpy PC Review"/> However, the driving control changes were widely criticised;<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> IGN's Butts called it "crap".<ref name="IGN PC Review"/> AllGame's Hoogland found the controls to be "more forgiving" over time.<ref name="AllGame PC Review"/>
In late 2012, the PC version of the game was temporarily pulled from digital stores, including [[Steam (software)|Steam]], due to a music licensing issue with one of the songs in the game. The song in question is believed to be "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]" by [[Michael Jackson]], though [[Rockstar Games]] has not confirmed this.<ref name = "Music Licence Issue">{{cite web | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/11/15/gta-vice-city-pc-pulled-from-stores-temporarily.aspx | title = GTA Vice City PC Pulled From Stores Temporarily | work = Game Informer | accessdate = 4 January 2013}}</ref>


== Reception and sales ==
=== Mobile version ===
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
| title = Mobile version reception
| Allgame = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=39666&tab=review|title=AllGame Review|author=Rovi Corporation|publisher=|accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=39501&tab=review|title=AllGame Review|author=Rovi Corporation|publisher=|accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=47109&tab=review|title=AllGame Review|author=Rovi Corporation|publisher=|accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref>
| MC = 80/100<ref name="MC Mobile"/>
| EuroG = (PC) 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vicecity_pc|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|date=2 June 2003|work=Eurogamer.net|accessdate=17 February 2015}}</ref><br>(PS2) 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vicecity_ps2|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|date=8 November 2002|work=Eurogamer.net|accessdate=17 February 2015}}</ref>
| Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="Destructoid Mobile Review"/>
| IGN = (PC) 93%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/grand-theft-aut-vice-city/pc-493118|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|work=IGN|accessdate=17 February 2015}}</ref><br>(PS2) 97%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/grand-theft-aut-vice-city/ps2-482089|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|work=IGN|accessdate=17 February 2015}}</ref>
| IGN = 7.7/10<ref name="IGN Mobile Review"/>
<!--Awards-->
| rev1 = ''[[Digital Spy]]''
| award1Pub = [[1st British Academy Video Games Awards]]
| rev1Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Digital Spy Review"/>
| award1 = Best Design,<br/> Best PC Game,<br/> Best Action Game,<br/> Sunday Times Reader Award for Games,<br/> Best PlayStation 2 Game,<br/> Best Sound
| rev2 = ''NowGamer''
| award2Pub = [[Golden Joystick Awards]]
| rev2Score = 7/10<ref name="NowGamer Mobile Review"/>
| award2 = Ultimate Game of the Year 2003,<br/> PS2 Game of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gta.sector.sk/ |title=GTA IV Center (GTA4) &#124; Všetko o GRAND THEFT AUTO IV |publisher=Gta.sector.sk |date= |accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Pocket Gamer]]''
| award3Pub = [[GameSpot]]'s Best and Worst of 2002
| rev3Score = 8/10<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review"/>
| award3 = Best Music on PlayStation 2,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps21.html | title = GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002: Special Achievement Awards&nbsp;— Best Music on PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | accessdate = 15 August 2007}}</ref><br/> Best Action Adventure Game on PlayStation 2,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps29.html | title = GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002: Genre Awards&nbsp;— Best Action Adventure Game on PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | accessdate = 15 August 2007}}</ref><br/> Game of the Year on PlayStation 2<ref><br/>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps226.html | title = GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002: Game of the Year on the PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | accessdate = 15 August 2007}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''
| award4Pub = [[IGN]]'s Best of 2002
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Telegraph Mobile Review"/>
| award4 = Best Adventure Game for PlayStation 2 (Editor's Choice and Reader's Choice),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/383/383174p1.html | title = IGN: Best of 2002: Adventure Game of the Year&nbsp;— PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[IGN.com]] | accessdate = 16 August 2007}}</ref><br/> Special Achievement for Sound (Reader's Choice),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/383/383084p1.html | title = IGN: Best of 2002: Special Achievement for Sound&nbsp;— PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[IGN.com]] | accessdate = 16 August 2007}}</ref><br/> Best Game of the Year for PlayStation 2 (Editor's Choice and Reader's Choice)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/383/383150p1.html | title = IGN: Best of 2002: Best Game of the Year&nbsp;— PlayStation 2 | publisher = [[IGN.com]] | accessdate = 16 August 2007}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''Touch Arcade''
| rev5Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Touch Arcade Review"/>
}}
}}


When ''Vice City'' was released on mobile devices in December 2012,<ref name="Mobile Announce"/><ref name="Mobile Release"/> it received generally positive reviews. Metacritic calculated an average score of 80 out of 100, based on 19 reviews.<ref name="MC Mobile"/> Reviewers liked the enhanced visuals,<ref name="Destructoid Mobile Review"/><ref name="IGN Mobile Review"/> but criticism was directed at the touchscreen controls.<ref name="Digital Spy Review"/><ref name="Pocket Gamer Review"/>
''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' was released to critical acclaim. The game received ratings of 9.7/10 from [[IGN]],<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/375/375564p1.html | title = ''Grand Theft Auto; Vice City'' (PS2) Review | work = IGN | accessdate = 20 December 2006}}</ref> 9.6/10 from [[GameSpot]],<ref name="GameSpot review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/grandtheftautovicecity/index.html | title = ''Grand Theft Auto; Vice City'' (PS2) Review | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 20 December 2006}}</ref> 5/5 from ''[[GamePro]]'',<ref name="GamePro review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/26908.shtml | title = Review: ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' (PS2) | work = Official GamePro website | accessdate = 20 December 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105113639/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/26908.shtml|archivedate=5 November 2002}}</ref> and 10/10 from ''[[Official US PlayStation Magazine]]''. The game has a score of 95 out of 100 on the review compiling website [[Metacritic]] making ''Vice City'' the sixth-highest-rated PlayStation 2 game on the site.<ref name="Metacritic score">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/ps2/scores/ | title = PlayStation 2 games by score | work = Metacritic | accessdate = 20 December 2006}}</ref> It was also generally praised for its open-ended action and entertaining re-creation of 1980s culture.


The port's visuals were well received. [[Destructoid]]'s Chris Carter felt that they "[suit] the neon and bright pastel veneer", and wrote that the "new lighting effects and smoothed-out engine really allow the game to pop like it never has before".<ref name="Destructoid Mobile Review"/> IGN's Justin Davis praised the updated character models, lighting and textures,<ref name="IGN Mobile Review"/> and Touch Arcade's Eric Ford noted that the "visuals are improved but not in a drastic manner".<ref name="Touch Arcade Review"/> [[NowGamer]] found that the mobile display improves the visual enjoyment of the game, despite the issues with the original game.<ref name="NowGamer Mobile Review"/> Tom Hoggins of ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' identified some issues with character models, but stated "the city looks terrific".<ref name="Telegraph Mobile Review"/>
Of the iOS port, Mark Brown of ''[[Pocket Gamer]]'' wrote that Rockstar did "a commendable job of bringing a stone-cold classic to mobile" but that "controls let the package down".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Grand+Theft+Auto%3A+Vice+City+10th+Anniversary+Edition/review.asp?c=47098|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review|author=Mark Brown|work=PocketGamer.co.uk|date=6 December 2012|accessdate=18 December 2012}}</ref>


Most reviewers criticised the port's touchscreen controls. [[Pocket Gamer]]'s Mark Brown found them "not ideal", but noted that this was also the case in the original game,<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review"/> while [[Digital Spy]]'s Scott Nichols felt that the game "only complicated [the controls] further".<ref name="Digital Spy Review"/> IGN's Davis was thankful for the addition of customisable controls, and wrote that they "make the experience much more controllable",<ref name="IGN Mobile Review"/> and Touch Arcade's Ford greatly appreciated the developer's efforts to "make the situation bearable".<ref name="Touch Arcade Review"/> Destructoid's Carter spoke favorably of the controls, despite noting awkward character movement,<ref name="Destructoid Mobile Review"/> while ''The Telegraph''{{'}}s Hoggins found the controls "far more accomplished" than ''Grand Theft Auto III''{{'}}s mobile port.<ref name="Telegraph Mobile Review"/>
The readers of [[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]] voted it the fourth-greatest PlayStation title ever released.<ref>Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 50, [[Future Publishing]], October 2010</ref> ''Vice City'' also appeared on Japanese magazine ''[[Famitsu]]''{{'}}s readers' list of the favourite 100 videogames of 2006, the only fully [[Western world|Western]] title on the list.<ref name = "top 100 in Japan">{{cite web | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | title = Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 | work = Next Generation | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref>


== Commercial performance ==
As of 26 September 2007, ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' has sold 15 million units according to [[Take-Two Interactive]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Take-Two Interactive Software at Piper Jaffray Second Annual London Consumer Conference |publisher=Thomson Financial |date=26 September 2007 |url=http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/confLobby.zhtml?ticker=TTWO&item_id=1642557 |format=[[Webcast]]: Windows Media Player, RealPlayer |accessdate=29 October 2007 |quote=Grand Theft Auto III launched in 2001 and sold over 12 million units. We then shipped another sequel in 2002 which sold over 15 million units, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. And then in 2004 we shipped Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which sold a remarkable 20 million units...}}</ref> As of 26 March 2008, ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' has sold 17.5 million units according to Take-Two Interactive,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=12 |title=Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer |accessdate=1 April 2008 |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]] |page=12 |format=PDF |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408234728/http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=12 |archivedate = 8 April 2008}}</ref> making it the [[List of best-selling video games#PlayStation 2|second-highest-selling video game]] for the PlayStation 2.
=== Sales ===
Within 24 hours of its release, ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' sold over 500,000 copies.<ref name="GameSpot Sales"/> Within two days of its release, ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' sold 1.4 million copies, making it the fastest-selling game at the time.<ref name="Kushner14"/> It was the highest-selling game of 2002 in the United States,<ref name="NPD 2002"/> and had sold 5.97 million units by June 2004,<ref name="Magic 2004"/> and 8.20 million units by December 2007.<ref name="Magic 2007"/> In February 2005, it was re-released as part of PlayStation's [[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|Greatest Hits]] selection, indicating high sales.<ref name="Greatest Hits"/> In Japan, ''Vice City'' sold about 223,000 copies in its first week, and over 410,000 by January 2008.<ref name="Japan Sales"/> The game earned a "Diamond" award in the United Kingdom, indicating over one million sales.<ref name="UK Diamond"/> By March 2008, the game had sold 17.5 million units worldwide, making it the [[List of best-selling PlayStation 2 video games|third best-selling PlayStation 2 game]].<ref name="March 08 Sales"/>


== Mobile version ==
=== Accolades ===
''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' received multiple nominations and awards from [[Video game journalism|gaming publications]]. It was named the Best PlayStation 2 game at the [[1st British Academy Games Awards]],<ref name="BAFTA PS2"/> the [[Golden Joystick Award]]s,<ref name="Golden Joystick"/> and from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'',<ref name="Kushner14"/> IGN<ref name="IGN GOTY"/> and GameSpot.<ref name="GameSpot GOTY"/> It was also awarded the prestigious Ultimate Game at the Golden Joystick Awards.<ref name="Golden Joystick Ultimate"/> The game was awarded Best Action/Adventure Game from the British Academy Games Awards,<ref name="BAFTA Action"/> GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpot ActionAdventure"/> and IGN.<ref name="IGN Music"/> The game's sound was awarded: it received the award for Best Music from GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpot Music"/> and the nomination for Best Sound,<ref name="GameSpot Sound"/> and won the award for Sound at the British Academy Games Awards.<ref name="BAFTA Sound"/> It won Design at the British Academy Games Awards,<ref name="BAFTA Design"/> and was nominated for Best Graphics (Technical and Artistic) from GameSpot.<ref name="GameSpot GraphicsT"/><ref name="GameSpot GraphicsA"/> The game was runner-up of IGN's Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year,<ref name="IGN GOTY Overall"/> and was nominated for GameSpot's awards for Best Story.<ref name="GameSpot Story"/> It was awarded Best PC Game at the British Academy Games Awards.<ref name="BAFTA PC"/>
On 26 October 2012 [[Rockstar Games]] announced that ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' would be released on [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] for the game's tenth anniversary,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/45851/celebrating-the-grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10th-anniversary-plus.html |title=Celebrating the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary plus Details on the Upcoming Mobile Release |publisher=Rockstar Games |date=26 October 2012 |accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/46331/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10th-anniversary-edition-coming-to-io.html |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition Coming to iOS and Android Devices on December 6th |publisher=Rockstar Games |date=21 November 2012 |accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref> following the tenth anniversary release of a [[Grand Theft Auto III#Ports and remakes|mobile version]] of ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/19751/grand-theft-auto-iii-10-year-anniversary-edition-coming-to-mobil.html |title=Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition Coming to Mobile Devices Next Week – December 15th |publisher=Rockstar Games |date=6 December 2011 |accessdate=23 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2011/10/15/gta-iii-coming-to-other-ios-devices-in-the-future/ |title=GTA III coming to other iOS devices "in the future" |publisher=VG247 |date=10 November 2011 |accessdate=23 March 2012}}</ref> The game was released for iOS on 6 December 2012; the Android version was slightly delayed and was released on 12 December 2012.<ref name="CVG - mobile">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/382378/gta-vice-city-hits-ios-android-version-held-up/|title=GTA: Vice City hits iOS, Android version held up|publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]]|first=Tom|last=Ivan|date=6 December 2012|accessdate=6 December 2012}}</ref>


{{-}}
There are a few differences between the console versions and the mobile versions of ''Vice City'', including updated graphics and character models, and custom controls with a fully customisable layout.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rockstargames.gtavc&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5yb2Nrc3RhcmdhbWVzLmd0YXZjIl0.|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Android Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref> Some features exclusive to the [[iOS]] versions include [[iCloud]] save game support, and the ability for the player to create a personal playlist using the music on their device.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://appsto.re/us/Q0MEI.i|title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the App Store|website=App Store|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>


== Controversy ==
== Controversies ==
Similar to its predecessors, ''Vice City'' generated several controversies. It has been labelled as [[violent]] and [[Sexually explicit|explicit]], and is considered highly controversial by many [[Advocacy groups|special interest groups]].{{cn}} Peter Hartlaub of ''[[SFGate]]'' noted the game's "mindless violence", but simply attributed it to the developers attempt to achieve accuracy.<ref name="SFGate"/> Jeremy Pope, who worked on various Rockstar games including ''Vice City'', vowed never to work on violent games again, due to their portrayal in mainstream media.<ref name="Gamesindustry Pope"/> In Australia, the game was pre-edited to receive an MA15+ classification;<ref name="Australia 2002"/> an uncensored version was released in the region in 2010, retaining its classification.<ref name="Australia 2010"/>
[[File:GTAVC PC Gang Attack.jpg|thumb|Tommy attacks a Haitian gang in Little Haiti. The game was accused of inviting people to harm immigrant [[Cuba]]ns and [[Haiti]]ans, and of featuring anti-Haitian and anti-Cuban phrases.]]
Like ''Grand Theft Auto III'', ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' has been labelled as [[violent]] and [[Sexually explicit|explicit]], and is considered highly [[Video game controversy|controversial]] by many [[Advocacy groups|special interest groups]], some of whom suggest that parental supervision is necessary when young people play this game, since children were never the game's intended audience. The [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] rated this game "M" for ''Mature''. In Australia, it was censored in case of it receiving a refused classification rating in which the ability to pick up a [[prostitute]] was blocked, so the game could be given a MA15+ rating. In 2010, these small cuts were added back and the game still retained its MA15+ rating.<ref name="classification.gov.au">{{Wayback |df=yes|url=http://www.classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/5b6ebdff7f5b9a24ca2575ca00062226/8cbbb98ea01d8e07ca257759005d8745!OpenDocument |title= |date=20100711010111 }}</ref>


[[File:GTAVC PC Gang Attack.jpg|thumb|The game allows players to harm immigrant [[Haiti]]ans (pictured) and [[Cuba]]ns. Civil rights organisations accused the game of inviting ethnic violence, and of featuring discriminatory phrases.]]
In November 2003, [[Cuban-American]] and [[Haitian Americans|Haitian-American]] civil rights organisations in [[Florida]] publicly criticised the title, contending that the game essentially invited people to harm immigrants from those two nations.<ref name = "CubanHaitian">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6084645| title = Haitian-Americans protest ''Vice City'' | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref> The groups' claims of racism and incitement to genocide attracted a good deal of public attention towards ''Vice City''. Rockstar Games issued a press release stating that they understood the concern of Cuban-Americans and Haitian-Americans, but also believed these organisations were blowing the issue out of proportion. Concerns regarding graphic depictions of ethnically-targeted violence in the title were echoed by New York City [[Mayor]] [[Michael Bloomberg]], vowing to "do everything we possibly can" if Rockstar did not comply. [[Take-Two]] (the game's publisher) did agree to remove several lines of dialogue.<ref name = "CubanHaitian2">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6085346 | title = Take-Two self-censoring ''Vice City'' | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref> This seems to have largely satisfied the organisations who raised the complaints, although the case was then referred to a [[State court (United States)|state court]], downgraded from the initial decision to refer the case to a [[United States federal courts|federal court]].<ref name = "CubanHaitian3">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6087048 | title = ''Vice City'' lawsuit switcheroo | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref> In 2004, a new version of the game was released, removing and changing those lines of dialogue.<ref name = "CubanHaitian4">{{cite web | url = http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6085346# | title = Take-Two self-censoring Vice City | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 11 July 2007}}</ref>


In November 2003, the Haitian Centers Council and [[Haitian Americans]] for Human Rights staged a protest in New York publicly criticising the game, contending that it invited players to harm Haitian immigrants, and claiming that it depicted Haitians as "thugs, thieves and drug dealers".<ref name="GameSpot Haitian1"/> In response, Rockstar issued a press release apologising acknowledging the concern, but insisted that the violence should be taken within the context of the game, which also contains violence towards other ethnic groups.<ref name="IGN Haitian"/> When New York mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] threatened distributor [[Take-Two Interactive]] with legal action, the company apologised and removed offensive statements from future copies of the game.<ref name="GameSpot Haitian2"/> In January 2004, [[North Miami, Florida|North Miami]]'s majority Haitian-American council filed an ordinance to illegalise selling or renting violent games to anyone under 18 without parent permission. The proposal, apparently sparked by ''Vice City'', was supported by North Miami mayor [[Josaphat Celestin]], who stated "We don't believe the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] was written to protect those who want to incite violence".<ref name="GameSpot Haitian3"/> The case was later downgraded from [[Federal judiciary of the United States|federal court]] to [[State court (United States)|state court]].<ref name="GameSpot Haitian4"/>
In February 2005, a [[lawsuit]] was brought upon the makers and distributors of the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series claiming the games caused a teenager to shoot and kill three members of the [[Alabama]] police force. The shooting took place in June 2003, when [[Devin Moore (murderer)|Devin Moore]], 17 years old at the time, was brought in for questioning to a [[Fayette, Alabama|Fayette]] police station regarding a [[carjacking|stolen vehicle]]. Moore then grabbed a pistol from one of the police officers and shot and killed him along with another officer and [[dispatch (logistics)|dispatcher]] before fleeing in a police car.<ref name = "Devin Moore">{{cite news | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050307095559/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=502424 |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=502424 |archivedate=7 March 2005 | title = Suit: Video Game Sparked Police Shootings | work = ABC News | date = 7 March 2005}}</ref><ref name = "Devin Moore2">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6118699 | title = ''Grand Theft Auto'' sparks another lawsuit | work = GameSpot | accessdate = 18 August 2006}}</ref> One of Moore's attorneys, [[Jack Thompson (activist)|Jack Thompson]], claimed it was ''GTA'''s graphic nature&nbsp;— with his constant playing time&nbsp;— that caused Moore to commit the murders, and Moore's family agreed. Damages are being sought from the [[Jasper, Alabama|Jasper]] branches of [[GameStop]] and [[Wal-Mart]], the stores from which ''GTA III'' and ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'', respectively, were purchased and also from the games' publisher [[Take-Two Interactive]], and the [[PlayStation 2]] manufacturer [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. The case [[Strickland v. Sony]] was heard by the same judge who presided over Moore's criminal trial, in which he was sentenced to death for his actions. In May 2008, Thompson was criticised by Judge Dava Tunis for unprofessional conduct during the Strickland v. Sony case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/05/20/jack-thompson-guilty-27-31-misconduct-charges-says-bar-trial-judge-fl-supreme-court-must- |title=Jack Thompson Guilty on 27 of 31 Misconduct Charges, Says Bar Trial Judge&nbsp;... FL Supreme Court Must Now Rule |publisher=GamePolitics |date=20 May 2008 |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref>


On 7 June 2003, 18-year-old [[Devin Moore]] shot and killed two [[Alabama]] police officers and a dispatcher before fleeing in a patrol car; he was later apprehended. In statements to police, Moore reportedly said "Life is like a video game. Everybody's got to die sometime".<ref name="CBS Moore"/> A $600 million [[lawsuit]] was filed against Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, [[Sony Computer Entertainment]], [[GameStop]] and [[Wal-Mart]], claiming that Moore frequently played ''Vice City'', and that his experience with the game led him to commit the crimes. The plaintiffs' attorney [[Jack Thompson (attorney)|Jack Thompson]] claimed it was the graphic nature of the game that caused the murders.<ref name="GameSpot Moore1"/> Thompson removed himself from the case ''[[Strickland v. Sony]]'' in November 2005,<ref name="GameSpot Moore2"/> after being scrutinised by the judge for unprofessional conduct.<ref name="GameSpot Moore3"/> In March 2006, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] rejected an appeal by the defendants to dismiss the case.<ref name="GameSpot Moore4"/>
In September 2006, Jack Thompson brought another lawsuit, claiming that Cody Posey played the game obsessively before murdering his father, stepmother, and stepsister on a ranch in [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Hondo, New Mexico]]. The suit was filed on behalf of the victims' families.<ref name = "Cody Posey">{{cite web | url = http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/sep/25/video-game-maker-blamed-04-killing/ | title = Video-game maker blamed in '04 killing | work = The Albuquerque Tribune | accessdate = 27 September 2006}}</ref> During the criminal trial, Posey's defence team argued he was abused by his father, and tormented by his stepmother.<ref name = "Posey Abuse">{{cite web | url = http://gamepolitics.com/2006/09/25/jack-thompson-lawsuit-to-be-filed-in-albuquerque/ | title = Jack Thompson Lawsuit to be Filed in Albuquerque | work = Game Politics.com | date=25 September 2006 | accessdate = 11 July 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070214122056/http://gamepolitics.com/2006/09/25/jack-thompson-lawsuit-to-be-filed-in-albuquerque/ |archivedate = 14 February 2007}}</ref> Posey was also taking [[Sertraline|Zoloft]] at the time of the killings.<ref name = "Cody Posey2a">{{cite web | url = http://www.courttv.com/talk/chat_transcripts/2006/0208posey-ockenfels.html | title = Vera Ockenfels, the Cody Posey defense team's mitigation specialist, discusses his conviction (transcript) (February 8, 2006) | work = Courtroom Television | accessdate = 27 September 2006}}</ref> The suit alleged that were it not for his obsessive playing of ''Vice City'', the murders would not have taken place.<ref name = "Cody Posey3">{{cite web | url = http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1526&Itemid=2 | title = Antigame Crusader in ABQ | work = ABQnewsSeeker | accessdate = 27 September 2006}}</ref> Named in the suit were Cody Posey, Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, and Sony. The suit asked for US$600 million in damages.<ref name = "Suit Damage">{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/27/jack-thompson-becomes-boring/ | title = Jack Thompson becomes boring | work = Joystiq | date=27 September 2006 |accessdate = 11 July 2007}}</ref> The case was dismissed in December 2007, as New Mexico held no jurisdiction over Sony or Take-Two. Thompson was later disbarred.<ref>"[http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/05/20/jack-thompson039s-gta-vice-city-lawsuit-tossed-out-new-mexico-appeals-court Jack Thompson's GTA Vice City]." GamePolitics. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2011.</ref>

In September 2006, Thompson brought another $600 million lawsuit against Cody Posey, Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, and Sony Computer Entertainment.<ref name="Engadget Posey"/><ref name="Tribune Posey"/> The lawsuit claimed that 14-year-old Posey played the game obsessively before murdering his father, stepmother and stepsister on a ranch in [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Hondo, New Mexico]].<ref name="GameSpot Posey"/> Posey's defense team argued that he was abused by his father,<ref name="GamePolitics Posey"/> and was taking [[Sertraline|Zoloft]] at the time of the killings.<ref name="CourtTV Posey"/> The suit alleged that the murders would not have taken place if Posey had not obsessively played ''Vice City''.<ref name="ABQJournal Posey"/> The case was dismissed in December 2007, as New Mexico held no jurisdiction over Sony or Take-Two.<ref name="GamePolitics Posey2"/>

== Legacy ==
The readers of ''[[Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]'' named ''Vice City'' the fourth-greatest PlayStation title ever released.<ref name="OPM Best"/> ''Vice City'' also appeared on Japanese magazine ''[[Famitsu]]''{{'}}s readers' list of top 100 games in 2006; it was one of the only [[Western world|Western]] titles on the list.<ref name="Famitsu 100"/>

=== Ports and remakes ===
''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' was released for [[Microsoft Windows]] on 12 May 2003, supporting higher screen resolutions and draw distance, and featuring more detailed textures.<ref name="PC"/> The game was planned to release on the Nintendo [[GameCube]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], but the former was later cancelled.<ref name="GameCube"/> For its release on the Xbox in December 2003, ''Vice City'' was bundled with ''Grand Theft Auto III'' in a compilation titled ''Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack''. The Xbox port features custom soundtrack support as well as improved audio, [[Model (computer games)|polygon models]], and reflections over the previous ports.<ref name="Xbox"/> ''Double Pack'' was later bundled with ''San Andreas'' in a compilation titled ''[[Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy]]'', released in October 2005.<ref name="Trilogy"/> ''The Trilogy'' was also released for [[OS X]] on 12 November 2010.<ref name="Mac"/> For the game's tenth anniversary in December 2012, War Drum Studios ported ''Vice City'' to several [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices.<ref name="Mobile Release"/><ref name="Android Release"/> The port is almost identical to the Windows version of the game, in addition to enhanced visuals and a customisable layout.<ref name="Mobile Announce"/> A [[PlayStation 3]] version of ''Vice City'' was released on 30 January 2013 via the [[PlayStation Network]].<ref name="PS3"/> The original PlayStation 2 version of the game was released for the [[PlayStation 4]] on 4 December 2015.<ref name="PS4"/>


==References==
==References==
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;Footnotes
;Footnotes
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="Android Release">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/382378/gta-vice-city-hits-ios-android-version-held-up/ |title=GTA: Vice City hits iOS, Android version held up |last=Ivan |first=Tom |work=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=6 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208053546/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/382378/gta-vice-city-hits-ios-android-version-held-up/ |archivedate=8 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Rabcat">{{cite web |url=http://www.rabcat.com/website_gameart/index.html |title=Projects |publisher=Rabcat Computer Graphics |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go7zleNz |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Vienna">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/take-two-closes-rockstar-vienna/1100-6150769/ |title=Take-Two closes Rockstar Vienna |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=11 May 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gndhIwoo |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Walkthrough">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-walkthrough/1100-6084785/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Walkthrough |last=Speer |first=Justin |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=26 January 2009 |accessdate=8 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6iq5JTAAu |archivedate=7 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Guns">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2002/10/03/gta-vice-city-guns-guns-and-more-guns |title=GTA: Vice City: Guns, Guns, and More Guns |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=3 October 2002 |accessdate=8 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6iq5tby67 |archivedate=7 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Development -->

<ref name="Crave">{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/site/201175-missing-you-looking-back-at-gta-vice-city-w-rockstar-games |title=Missing You: Looking Back at GTA: Vice City w/ Rockstar Games |last=Norris |first=Erik |work=[[CraveOnline]] |publisher=Atomic Media |date=6 December 2012 |accessdate=9 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6irsXMfz0 |archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Design Museum">{{cite web |url=http://designmuseum.org/design/rockstar-games |title=Rockstar Games - Design/Designer Information |publisher=[[Design Museum]] |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105233001/http://designmuseum.org/design/rockstar-games |archivedate=5 November 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name="Digital Trends">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/exploring-grand-theft-auto-vice-citys-lasting-impact-on-gamer-culture-with-rockstars-leslie-benzies/ |title=Exploring Grand Theft Auto: Vice City's lasting impact on society with Rockstar's Leslie Benzies |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |publisher=[[Digital Trends]] |date=13 December 2012 |accessdate=9 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6irtOxPHk |archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Edge 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/ |title=The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |page=1 |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=10 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209050201/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/ |archivedate=9 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Edge 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/2 |title=The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |page=2 |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=10 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210064842/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/2 |archivedate=9 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Edge 4">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/4 |title=The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |page=4 |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=10 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210064852/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/4 |archivedate=9 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Animation">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-animation-qanda/1100-2882501/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Animation Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=28 February 2003 |accessdate=10 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjbTQHxP |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Announcement">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2002-grand-theft-auto-vice-city-announced/1100-2866693/ |title=E3 2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City announced |last=Walker |first=Trey |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=22 May 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjSAc4OZ |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Gold">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-vice-city-goes-gold/1100-2894689/ |title=GTA: Vice City goes gold |last=Calvert |first=Justin |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=15 October 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjSECCrE |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Graphics">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-graphics-qanda/1100-2881042/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Graphics Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=20 September 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go8IQKa7 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Interaction">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-interaction-qanda/1100-2895857/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Interaction Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=25 October 2002 |accessdate=10 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjbSYtJK |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot III">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dan-houser-opens-up-about-grand-theft-auto-iii/1100-6341347/ |title=Dan Houser Opens Up About Grand Theft Auto III |last=McInnis |first=Shaun |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=21 October 2011 |accessdate=10 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6isMG63ob|archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Level Design">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-level-design-qanda/1100-2885365/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Level Design Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=28 February 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjUJjLzR |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Physics">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-physics-qanda/1100-2881862/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Physics Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=15 March 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjU2mna5 |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Radio">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-talk-radio-qanda/1100-2895111/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Talk Radio Q&A |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=20 November 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjRkTfn4 |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Sales">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/huge-day-one-sales-for-vice-city/1100-2896259/ |title=Huge day-one sales for Vice City |last=Parker |first=Sam |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=30 October 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjSVTzCa |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Soundtrack 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-vice-city-to-be-released-alongside-soundtracks/1100-2879673/ |title=GTA: Vice City to be released alongside soundtracks |last=Calvert |first=Justin |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=10 September 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjQlvApe |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Soundtrack 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-vice-city-soundtrack-cd-rom-details/1100-2882302/ |title=GTA: Vice City soundtrack CD-ROM details |last=Calvert |first=Justin |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=3 October 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjQt0BYC |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IBTimes Soundtrack">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/former-rockstar-music-director-explains-how-gta-radio-soundtracks-are-put-together-1490252 |title=Former Rockstar music director explains how GTA radio soundtracks are put together |last=Skipper |first=Ben |work=[[International Business Times]] |publisher=[[IBT Media]] |date=3 March 2015 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjIoptKd |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Inside 1">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/04/07/inside-vice-city |title=Inside Vice City |page=1 |last1=Sulic |first1=Ivan |last2=Perry |first2=Doug |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=7 April 2003 |accessdate=9 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6irqHckuZ |archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Inside 2">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/04/07/inside-vice-city?page=2 |title=Inside Vice City |page=2 |last1=Sulic |first1=Ivan |last2=Perry |first2=Doug |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=7 April 2003 |accessdate=9 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6irqbOhwS |archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Inside 3">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/04/07/inside-vice-city?page=3 |title=Inside Vice City |page=3 |last1=Sulic |first1=Ivan |last2=Perry |first2=Doug |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=7 April 2003 |accessdate=9 July 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6irqhn10U |archivedate=9 July 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Inside 4">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/04/07/inside-vice-city?page=4 |title=Inside Vice City |page=4 |last1=Sulic |first1=Ivan |last2=Perry |first2=Doug |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=7 April 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjVPJ47P |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Unplugged">{{cite journal |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=October 2002 |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |journal=IGN Unplugged |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=17 |pages=8–15 }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Voice">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2002/10/25/the-voice-of-vice-city |title=The Voice of Vice City |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=25 October 2002 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjIyEohP |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Initial release -->

<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/grand-theft-auto-vice-city |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for PlayStation 2 Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go8cadHu |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="MC PS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/release-date/available/ps2/metascore |title=All PlayStation 2 Video Game Releases |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gofOSUkU |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="AllGame Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39501&tab=review |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Review |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |work=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210172958/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39501&tab=review |archivedate=10 December 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name="Edge Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-review/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=27 November 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211103011/http://www.edge-online.com/review/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-review/ |archivedate=11 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vicecity_ps2 |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |date=8 November 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go92St2u |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameInformer Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200212/R03.0730.1552.03995.htm |title=The Winner, and Still Champion |last1=Helgeson |first1=Matt |last2=Leeper |first2=Justin |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031031065833/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200212/R03.0730.1552.03995.htm |archivedate=31 October 2003 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameRev Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/grand-theft-auto-vice-city |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review |last=Silverman |first=Ben |work=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |date=1 November 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go9j7sQS |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-review/1900-2895954/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |authorlink=Jeff Gerstmann |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=28 October 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go8m9tsT |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpy Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november02/gtavicecityps2/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2) - Review |last=Padilla |first=Raymond |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=5 November 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021107013750/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november02/gtavicecityps2/ |archivedate=7 November 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2002/10/28/grand-theft-auto-vice-city |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=28 October 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go96QR4p |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Microsoft Windows version -->

<ref name="MC PC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/grand-theft-auto-vice-city |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for PC Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go8tI3GV |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="MC Top PC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/pc/filtered?sort=desc&year_selected=2003 |title=Best PC Video Games for 2003 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gph624TC |archivedate=17 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="AllGame PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39666&tab=review |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Review |last=Hoogland |first=Mark |work=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211150423/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39666&tab=review |archivedate=11 December 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vicecity_pc |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |last=Taylor |first=Martin |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |date=2 June 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go9PTyYo |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-review/1900-6028854/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=23 May 2003 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gphfhuZk |archivedate=17 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpy PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/may03/vicecitypc/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PC) - Review |last=Accardo |first=Sal |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=9 May 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030516025009/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/may03/vicecitypc/ |archivedate=16 May 2003 }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/05/23/gta-vice-city-review |title=GTA Vice City Review |last=Butts |first=Steve |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=23 May 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go9GSIiX |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Mobile version -->

<ref name="MC Mobile">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10th-anniversary-edition |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition for iPhone/iPad Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gndrc5eP |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Destructoid Mobile Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10-year-anniversary-239831.phtml |title=Review: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: 10 Year Anniversary |last=Carter |first=Chris |work=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=ModernMethod |date=11 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnehQwNV |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Mobile Review">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2012/12/18/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-ios-review |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City iOS Review |last=Davis |first=Justin |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=18 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnfddK5D |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Digital Spy Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/review/a444386/mobile-review-round-up-gta-vice-city-knightscape-more/ |title=Mobile review round-up: 'GTA: Vice City', 'KnightScape', more |last=Nichols |first=Scott |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |date=11 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnfjpUKW |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="NowGamer Mobile Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/gta-vice-city-ipad-review/ |title=GTA: Vice City iPad Review |work=NowGamer |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gpmLxljV |archivedate=17 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Grand+Theft+Auto%3A+Vice+City+10th+Anniversary+Edition/review.asp?c=47098 |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition review |last=Brown |first=Mark |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |publisher=Steel Media |date=6 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnfnKyjZ |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Telegraph Mobile Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-app-reviews/9750548/Grand-Theft-Auto-Vice-City-10th-Anniversary-Edition-review.html |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition review |last=Hoggins |first=Tom |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |date=17 December 2012 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gplo1DBE |archivedate=17 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Touch Arcade Review">{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2012/12/31/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-review-a-totally-rad-port/ |title='Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' Review - A Totally Rad Port (Review) |last=Ford |first=Eric |publisher=Touch Arcade |date=31 December 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnfsRpPN |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Sales -->

<ref name="Greatest Hits">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47109&tab=review |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City [Greatest Hits] - REview |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |work=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211150434/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47109&tab=review |archivedate=11 December 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name="Japan Sales">{{cite web |url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |title=Sony PS2 Japanese Ranking |publisher=Japan Game Charts |date=13 January 2008 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116201555/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |archivedate=16 January 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kushner14">{{harvnb|Kushner|2012|loc="Rampages"}}</ref>

<ref name="Magic 2004">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Chart Games |publisher=''The MagicBox'' |date=5 June 2004 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040605003941/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archivedate=5 June 2004 }}</ref>

<ref name="Magic 2007">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Chart Games |publisher=''The MagicBox'' |date=27 December 2007 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gdItvoQ1 |archivedate=9 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="March 08 Sales">{{cite web |url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=12 |title=Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer |page=12 |format=PDF |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] |date=26 March 2008 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080408234728/http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=12 |archivedate=8 April 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="NPD 2002">{{cite web |url=https://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_030128a.htm |title=The NPD Group Reports Annual 2002 U.S. Video Game Sales Break Record |location=Port Washington, New York |last1=Radwick |first1=Dora |last2=Dolan |first2=Sean P. |publisher=[[NPD Group]] |date=27 January 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gd2aFuWL |archivedate=8 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="UK Diamond">{{cite web |url=http://www.elspa.com/?i=3946 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Diamond |publisher=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100703023209/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3946 |archivedate=3 July 2010 }}</ref>

<!-- Accolades -->

<ref name="BAFTA PC">{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/games/pc |title=PC in 2004 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goeEt3aU |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA PS2">{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/games/ps2 |title=PS2 in 2004 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goe9dJf5 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA Action">{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/games/action-adventure |title=Action Game in 2004 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goeOEsQq |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA Design">{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/games/design |title=Design in 2004 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goeMDcEf |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA Sound">{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/games/sound |title=Sound in 2004 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goeSsdqT |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot ActionAdventure">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps29.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Best Action Adventure Game on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223105037/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps29.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot GOTY">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps226.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Game of the Year on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223110216/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps226.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot GraphicsA">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps25.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Best Graphics (Artistic) on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223104829/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps25.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot GraphicsT">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps24.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Best Graphics (Technical) on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223104757/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps24.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Music">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps21.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Special AChievement Awards: Best Music on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202040423/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps21.html |archivedate=2 February 2003 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Sound">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps22.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Best Sound on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223104653/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps22.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Story">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps23.html |title=GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2002 - Best Story on PlayStation 2 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021223104725/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps23.html |archivedate=23 December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="Golden Joystick">{{cite web |url=http://www.gry-online.pl/S013.asp?ID=11106 |title=Laureaci „Golden Joystick” wyłonieni |language=Polish |trans-title=The winners of the "Golden Joystick" chosen |publisher=[[pl:Gry-Online|Gry-Online]] |date=23 November 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjVipx27 |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Golden Joystick Ultimate">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joysticks-ultimate-list-ultimate-games-1983-2014/ |title=Golden Joysticks Awards' Ultimate List of Ultimate Games: 1983 - 2014 |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=15 October 2015 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goeliMu7 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN GOTY">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/01/17/best-of-2002-best-game-of-the-year |title=Best of 2002: Best Game of the Year |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=17 January 2003 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gp5CCq6P |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN GOTY Overall">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/01/24/2002-overall-game-of-the-year?page=3 |title=2002 Overall Game of the Year |page=3 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=24 January 2003 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gocTQRWm |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Music">{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/383/383174p1.html |title=PlayStation 2: Best of 2002: Adventure Game of the Year |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=17 January 2003 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207214153/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/383/383174p1.html |archivedate=7 February 2003 }}</ref>

<!-- Controversies -->

<ref name="SFGate">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Vice-City-rises-above-the-controversy-2773744.php |title=Vice City rises above the controversy |last=Hartlaub |first=Peter |work=[[SFGate]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |date=7 November 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go6TTj80 |archivedate=16 April 2016 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gamesindustry Pope">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-17-former-gta-producer-why-ill-never-work-on-violent-games-again |title=Former GTA Producer: Why I'll Never Work On Violent Games Again |last=Brightman |first=James |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=Gamer Network |date=20 May 2013 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go6i1y4I |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Australia 2002">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2002/10/24/gta-vice-city-different-down-under |title=GTA: Vice City Different Down Under |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=24 October 2002 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gno54Osi |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Australia 2010">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/07/08/gta-vice-city-mysteriously-rated-by-oflc/ |title=Aussie GTA: Vice City rating related to PC back catalogue business |last=Garratt |first=Patrick |publisher=[[VG247]] |date=8 July 2010 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gno8gPnJ |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Haitian">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/12/10/gta-vice-city-apology |title=GTA: VIce City Apology |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=9 December 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go3FFayy |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Haitian1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/haitian-americans-protest-vice-city/1100-6084645/ |title=Haitian-Americans protest Vice City |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=25 November 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gntM6y8Q |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Haitian2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/take-two-self-censoring-vice-city/1100-6085346/ |title=Take-Two self-censoring Vice City |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=9 December 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gntPxFSn |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Haitian3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/vice-city-incites-miami-ordinance-proposal/1100-6086551/ |title=Vice City incites Miami ordinance proposal |last=Calvert |first=Justin |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=15 January 2004 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gntTpXQ9 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Haitian4">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/vice-city-lawsuit-switcheroo/1100-6087048/ |title=Vice City lawsuit switcheroo |last=Thorsen |first=Tom |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=26 January 2004 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gntWf8JP |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Moore1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-sparks-another-lawsuit/1100-6118699/ |title=Grand Theft Auto sparks another lawsuit |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=16 February 2005 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnykETf7 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Moore2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/controversial-lawyer-exits-gta-case/1100-6139347/ |title=Controversial lawyer exits GTA case |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=7 November 2005 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnynXmZN |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Moore3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/civil-suit-in-alabama-goes-forward/1100-6141238/ |title=Civil suit in Alabama goes forward |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=14 December 2005 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnyxdRWG |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Moore4">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-killer-case-clears-hurdle/1100-6146882/ |title=GTA killer case clears hurdle |last=Feldman |first=Curt |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=30 March 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnyzeRyZ |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="CBS Moore">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-a-video-game-lead-to-murder-04-03-2005/ |title=Can A Video Game Lead To Murder? |last=Leung |first=Rebecca |work=[[CBS News]] |publisher=[[CBS]] |date=4 March 2005 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gnzHZp9x |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Posey">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-blamed-in-court-caseagain/1100-6158619/ |title=GTA blamed in court case... again |last=Surette |first=Tim |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=25 September 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go17Vy2l |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Tribune Posey">{{cite web |url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/sep/25/video-game-maker-blamed-04-killing/ |title=Video-game maker blamed in '04 killing |last=Krueger |first=Joline Gutierrez |work=[[The Albuquerque Tribune]] |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |date=25 September 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825065157/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/sep/25/video-game-maker-blamed-04-killing/ |archivedate=25 August 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="GamePolitics Posey">{{cite web |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2006/09/25/jack-thompson-lawsuit-to-be-filed-in-albuquerque/ |title=Jack Thompson Lawsuit to be Filed in Albuquerque |work=[[GamePolitics.com]] |publisher=[[Entertainment Consumers Association]] |date=25 September 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214122056/http://gamepolitics.com/2006/09/25/jack-thompson-lawsuit-to-be-filed-in-albuquerque/ |archivedate=14 February 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Engadget Posey">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/27/jack-thompson-becomes-boring/ |title=Jack Thompson becomes boring |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=27 September 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go1MkZeZ |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="CourtTV Posey">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/talk/chat_transcripts/2006/0208posey-ockenfels.html |title=Homicide at Sam Donaldson's Ranch |work=[[TruTV|Court TV]] |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |date=8 February 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316231614/http://www.courttv.com/talk/chat_transcripts/2006/0208posey-ockenfels.html |archivedate=16 March 2006 }}</ref>

<ref name="ABQJournal Posey">{{cite web |url=http://www.abqjournal.com/23224/abqnewsseeker/935am-antigame-crusader-in-abq.html |title=9:35am — Antigame Crusader in ABQ |work=[[Albuquerque Journal]] |publisher=Journal Publishing Company |date=25 September 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go1axifh |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="GamePolitics Posey2">{{cite web |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2008/05/20/jack-thompson039s-gta-vice-city-lawsuit-tossed-out-new-mexico-appeals-court/ |title=Jack Thompson's GTA Vice City Lawsuit Tossed Out by New Mexico Appeals Court |work=[[GamePolitics.com]] |publisher=[[Entertainment Consumers Association]] |date=20 May 2008 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6go1gD4b6 |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Legacy -->

<ref name="Famitsu 100">{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100?page=0%2C1 |title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 |work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=3 March 2006 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731213541/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100?page=0%2C1 |archivedate=31 July 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name="OPM Best">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/oct/01/games-sony |title=Official PlayStation readers name 50 best PlayStation games ever |work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=1 October 2010 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goffqoCf |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<!-- Ports and remakes -->

<ref name="GameCube">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/news-nintendo_gamecube_grand_theft_auto.htm |title=Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City on Nintendo GameCube |author=Jim |work=GameCubicle |publisher=GamingFog.com |date=28 April 2003 |accessdate=20 March 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6g8n5QGFp |archivedate=20 March 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Mac">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/11761/grand-theft-auto-trilogy-now-available-for-the-mac.html |title=Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Now Available for the Mac |author=R* Q |work=Rockstar Newswire |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |date=12 November 2010 |accessdate=25 September 2014 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6dwFY2QO7 |archivedate=21 December 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Mobile Announce">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/45851/celebrating-the-grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10th-anniversary-plus.html |title=Celebrating the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary plus Details on the Upcoming Mobile Release |author=R* Q |work=Rockstar Newswire |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |date=26 October 2012 |accessdate=16 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gneBTMmR |archivedate=15 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Mobile Release">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/46331/grand-theft-auto-vice-city-10th-anniversary-edition-coming-to-io.html |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition Coming to iOS and Android Devices on December 6th |author=R* Q |work=Rockstar Newswire |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |date=21 November 2012 |accessdate=30 April 2013 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6gneJMC8C |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="PC">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/vice-city-pc-release-date-revealed/1100-2911002/ |title=Vice City PC release date revealed |last=Parker |first=Sam |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=14 February 2003 |accessdate=23 September 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6kjVULX2d |archivedate=23 September 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="PS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/48571/vice-city-now-available-on-psn.html |title=Vice City Now Available on PSN |author=R* Q |work=Rockstar Newswire |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |date=30 January 2013 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6goaUUNmx |archivedate=16 April 2016 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="PS4">{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/12/04/fan-favorite-ps2-games-launching-on-ps4-tomorrow/ |title=Fan-Favorite PS2 Games Launching on PS4 Tomorrow |last=Yoshida |first=Shuhei |authorlink=Shuhei Yoshida |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment]] |date=4 December 2015 |accessdate=21 December 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6dwFhmJEu |archivedate=21 December 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Trilogy">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-gets-trilogized-san-andreas-special-edition/1100-6134252/ |title=GTA gets trilogized, San Andreas special edition |last=Surette |first=Tim |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=23 October 2005 |accessdate=17 April 2016 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6dwFTs0h5 |archivedate=21 December 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Xbox">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/11/05/grand-theft-auto-double-pack |title=Grand Theft Auto Double Pack |last=Boulding |first=Aaron |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=4 November 2003 |accessdate=25 September 2014 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6dwFS0aoh |archivedate=21 December 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
}}

;Sources
* {{cite book |last=Kushner |first=David |authorlink=David Kushner |title=[[Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto]] |publisher=[[Turner Publishing Company]] |date=3 April 2012 |isbn=978-0-4709-3637-5 |ref=harv }}
* {{cite book |title=Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Game Manual |author=[[Rockstar North]] |publisher=[[Rockstar Games]] |year=2002 |ref=harv}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{official website|http://www.rockstargames.com/vicecity/}}
* {{official website|http://www.rockstargames.com/vicecity/}}
* {{IMDB title|0314123|Grand Theft Auto: Vice City}}
* {{Wayback|df=yes|url=http://www.gtavicecity.com/|title=''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City''|date=20030528094030}}


{{Grand Theft Auto}}
{{Grand Theft Auto}}
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Revision as of 10:10, 23 September 2016

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Developer(s)Rockstar North[a]
Publisher(s)Rockstar Games
Producer(s)Leslie Benzies
Programmer(s)
  • Obbe Vermeij
  • Adam Fowler
Artist(s)Aaron Garbut
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Lex Horton
SeriesGrand Theft Auto
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)
Release
27 October 2002
  • 'PlayStation 2'Microsoft Windows'Xbox'OS X'iOS'Android
Genre(s)Third-person shooter, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 22 October 2001 for the PlayStation 2 console, on 12 May 2003 for Microsoft Windows, and on 31 October 2003 for the Xbox. It is the sixth title in the Grand Theft Auto series, and the first main entry since 2001's Grand Theft Auto III. Set within the fictional Vice City, based on Miami, the game follows Tommy Vercetti after he is caught up in a ambushed drug deal following his release from prison, and seeks out those responsible while building a criminal empire and seizing power from other criminal organisations in the city.

The game is played from a third-person perspective and its world is navigated on foot or by vehicle. The open world design lets players freely roam Vice City, consisting of two main islands. The game's plot is based on multiple real-life events in Miami such as Cuban, Haitian and Biker gangs, the 1980s crack epidemic, the mafioso druglords of Miami and the dominance of glam metal. Much of the development work constituted creating the game world to fit the inspiration and time period; the development team conducted extensive field research in Miami while creating the world.

Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, with praise particularly directed at its music and gameplay. However, the game also generated controversy, with criticism directed at the depiction of violence and racial groups. Vice City became the b est-selling video game of 2002, and has sold over 20 million copies. Considered one of the most significant titles of the sixth generation of video games, it won year-end accolades, including Game of the Year awards from several gaming publications. Since its release, it has received numerous ports to many gaming platforms. Its successor, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, was released in October 2004, and a prequel, Vice City Stories, was released in 2006.

Gameplay

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is an action-adventure game played from a third-person view. Players complete missions—linear scenarios with set objectives—to progress through the story. It is possible to have several active missions running at one time, as some missions require players to wait for further instructions or events. Outside of missions, players can freely roam the game's open world, and have the ability to complete option side missions.[4] Composed of two main islands and several smaller areas, the world is much larger in area than earlier entries in the series{{efn|Art director Aaron Garbut estimated that the area of Vice City is almost twice as large as Grand Theft Auto III's Liberty City, at over 4.25 million square meters.[5] The islands are unlocked to players as the story progresses.[6]

Gameplay screenshot of the player character driving a motorcycle through a busy city street.
Players can drive motorcycles in Vice City, unlike previous entries in the series.

Players may run, jump or use vehicles to navigate the game's world. In combat, auto-aim can be used as assistance against enemies.[7] Should players take damage, their health meter can be fully regenerated through the use of health pick-ups.[8] Body armour can be used to absorb gunshots and explosive damage, but is used up in the process.[9] When health is entirely depleted, gameplay stops, and players respawn at the nearest hospital, at the expense of losing all weapons and armour, and an amount of money.[6]

If players commit crimes while playing, the game's law enforcement agencies may respond as indicated by a "wanted" meter in the head-up display (HUD). On the meter, the displayed stars indicate the current wanted level[6] (for example, at the maximum six-star level, efforts by law enforcement to incapacitate players become very aggressive). Law enforcement officers will search for players who leave the wanted vicinity. The wanted meter enters a cooldown mode and eventually recedes when players are hidden from the officers' line of sight.[10]

The game lets players control the criminal Tommy Vercetti. During the story, Tommy meets various new characters from gangs. As players completes missions for different gangs, fellow gang members will often defend players, while rival gang members will recognise players and subsequently shoot on sight. While free roaming the game world, players may engage in activities such as a vigilante minigame, a fire fighting activity, and a taxi cab service. Completion of these activities grants players with context-specific rewards; for example, completing the vigilante mission allows players to bribe police after committing a crime.[11] As Tommy builds his criminal empire, players have the ability to purchase a number of properties distributed across the city, some of which act as additional hideouts where weapons can be collected and vehicles can be stored.[12] There is also a variety of business which can be purchased, including a film studio, a taxi company, and several entertainment clubs. Each commercial property has a number of missions attached to it, such as eliminating competition or stealing equipment; once all missions are complete, the property begins to generate an ongoing income available to players.[10]

Players use melee attacks, firearms and explosives to fight enemies. The firearms include weapons such as the Colt Python, an M60 machine gun and a Minigun.[13][14] The game's three-dimension environment allows a first-person view while aiming with the sniper rifle and rocket launcher. In addition, the game's combat allows players to commit drive-by shootings by facing sideways in a vehicle.[10][11] The game gives players a wide variety of weapon options—they can be purchased from local firearms dealers, found on the ground, retrieved from dead enemies, or found around the city.[15]

Plot

In 1986, Tommy Vercetti (Ray Liotta), a loyal and former member of the Forelli Family, is released from prison after 15 years inside. His former boss, Sonny Forelli (Tom Sizemore), ostensibly promotes Tommy to a capo and sends him to Vice City to act as the Forelli's buyer for a series of cocaine deals. When Tommy and his bodyguards arrive in Vice City, crooked lawyer Ken Rosenberg (William Fichtner) takes them to the deal's site at the dock. They are ambushed by several armed and masked men, who kill their bodyguards. Tommy narrowly escapes with Ken from the docks, losing the Forelli's money and the cocaine in the process. After Ken returns to his office, Tommy drives back to his hotel and informs Sonny, promising him under the threat of consequences to get back the drugs and money, and kill whoever was responsible for the ambush.

Seeking information, Ken points Tommy towards Juan Garcia Cortez (Robert Davi). Expressing regret for the matter, Cortez promises to help Tommy find out who masterminded the ambush plot. In the process of finding leads, Tommy meets Ricardo Diaz (Luis Guzmán), who hires him. Cortez soon voices his suspicion that Diaz might have organised the ambush. With the help of Lance Vance (Philip Michael Thomas), whose brother died in the ambush, Tommy kills Diaz; as a result, Tommy and Lance become Vice City's drug kingpins, allowing Tommy to create his own organisation and distance himself from the Forelli family. Building up his empire, Tommy works with the Cuban's leader Umberto Robina (Danny Trejo) in their fight against the Haitians. After destroying the Haitian's drug factory, Umberto becomes Tommy's partner in the drug trade. Along with his help, Tommy earns the respect and friendship of Mitch Baker (Lee Majors), leader of a biker gang, whose bikers work alongside the Cubans to become protectors of Vercetti family business. Tommy also expands his drug business by purchasing assets in nearly bankrupt companies and turning them back into a competitive business.

Eventually, Sonny discovers that Tommy has gained complete control over Vice City's drug trade without compensating the Forelli family. Enraged that Tommy has become independent and is hustling him, Sonny sends high-ranking Forelli members to forcefully collect money from Tommy's assets. Tommy quickly disposes of them, and decides to sever his ties with Forelli family. Sonny arrives at his estate with a small army of mafiosi, and demands his tribute under threat of force; as Tommy attempts to give the tribute in counterfeit money, Sonny reveals that he set Tommy up fifteen years prior, resulting in his prison sentence. Lance also reveals his partnership with Sonny, admitting to have informed Sonny about Tommy's activities in Vice City. Angered at this betrayal, Tommy chases and ridicules Lance before killing him for his treachery. Heading through his estate, the gunfight eventually culminates in Sonny's death, allowing Tommy to establish himself as the undisputed crime kingpin of Vice City, before reassuring Ken, who arrives and is shocked by events, that everything is fine.

Development

Rockstar North began to develop Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in late 2001, around the time of Grand Theft Auto III's release.[16] Core development began in early 2002, and lasted about nine months.[17] After the development of the Windows version of Grand Theft Auto III, the development team discussed creating a mission pack for the game which would add new weapons, vehicles and missions. Upon further discussion, the team decided to make this concept an individual game, which became Vice City.[18] The game was announced on 22 May 2002, during the Electronic Entertainment Expo.[19] By 15 October 2002, development of Vice City stopped as the game was submitted for manufacturing.[20]

Setting

The game is set in 1986 in fictional Vice City, which is based heavily on the city of Miami and Miami Beach, Florida.[21] Vice City previously appeared in the original Grand Theft Auto (1997); the development team decided to reuse the location and incorporate ideas from within the studio and the fanbase.[22] They wanted to satirise a location that was not contemporary, unlike Grand Theft Auto III's Liberty City.[16] The team wanted to choose a location that had various similarities and differences to New York City—the inspiration of Liberty City—eventually leading them to Miami, which producer Leslie Benzies describes as "a party town, all sun and sea and sex, but with that same dark edge underneath".[18] Executive producer Sam Houser called it "the grooviest era of crime because it didn't even feel like it was crime ... it was a totally topsy-turvy back-to-front period of time".[23] The team intended to make Vice City a "living, breathing city", for the player to feel like "life still goes on" while the character is inside a building.[24]

The game's look, particularly the clothing and vehicles, reflect its 1980s setting. Many themes are borrowed from the major films Scarface (1983) and Carlito's Way (1993),[21] the latter for its characterisation and portrayal of nuanced criminals. The television series Miami Vice (1984–89) was also a major influence, and was regularly watched by the team throughout development.[25] Art director Aaron Garbut used the series as a reference point in creating neon lighting.[23] In recreating a 1980s setting, the team found it "relatively painless" due to the distinct culture of the time period, and the team's familiarity of the era.[25] The art team was provided with large volumes of research, as well as reference photographs from other members of the development team. The team organised field research trips to Miami shortly after the development of Grand Theft Auto III, splitting into small teams and observing the streets.[25][26]

Story and characters

The team spent time "solving [the] riddle" of a speaking protagonist, a notable departure from Grand Theft Auto III's silent protagonist Claude.[27] Ray Liotta portrayed protagonist Tommy Vercetti. Liotta described the role as challenging: "You're creating a character that's not there before ... It's so intensive". When recording the role, the team used blue screen, in order to allow Liotta to visualise "how it's gonna move".[28] The team ensured that players felt "real affinity" for Tommy, making the narrative a key development interest.[16] Dan Houser described Tommy as "strong and dangerous and prepared to wait for the right opportunity to arrive".[26]

The majority of the game's animations were original, with very few borrowed from Grand Theft Auto III. For the characters, the team used motion capture and stop motion animation techniques; cutscenes use the former, while gameplay movements use a combination of both techniques. The team encountered difficulty in animating motorcycle animations, due in part to the variety of models.[29] Pedestrian character models use skins in Vice City, allowing the artists to produce more realistic characters. There is a total of 110 pedestrian models throughout the game world, and about 50 story characters; each character has twice the amount of polygons and textures than in Grand Theft Auto III.[21][26] This also impacted the character physics, improving gameplay aspects such as weapon-hit accuracy.[30] Some character models and scenarios were inspired by films such as The Godfather (1972), and the game's presentation was inspired by action television shows of the 1980s.[31] The interplay between Tommy Vercetti and Lance Vance was crafted to be similar to the relationship of Miami Vice's Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs.[32]

Sound design and music production

The game features 8,000 lines of recorded dialogue, four times the amount in Grand Theft Auto III. It contains over 90 minutes of cutscenes and nine hours of music,[26] with more than 113 songs and commercials.[33] The team was appealed by the challenge of creating the game's soundtrack, particularly in contrast to Grand Theft Auto III's music, which Sam Houser described as "clearly satirical and its own thing".[17] In developing the radio stations, the team wanted to reinforce the game's setting by collating a variety of songs from the 1980s, and performed extensive research accordingly.[34] The radio stations were published by Epic Records in seven albums—known collectively as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set—alongside the game in October 2002.[35][36] Vice City contains about "three times as much" talk radio than Grand Theft Auto III. Producer and talk show host Lazlow Jones stated that the small percentage of station listeners that actually call in are "insane"; in Vice City, the team "bumped it up a notch", emphasising the extremity. Dan Houser felt that the talk stations give depth to the game world.[37]

Critical reception

Initial release

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released to critical acclaim. Metacritic calculated an average score of 95 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 62 reviews. It is Metacritic's highest-rated PlayStation 2 game of 2002,[38] and the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 2 game overall, tied with a number of others.[b] Reviewers liked the game's sound and music,[4][10] open-ended gameplay,[39][41] and open world design,[6][40] though some criticism was directed at the controls and technical issues.[12][11] IGN's Douglass Perry declared it "one of the most impressive games of 2002",[41] and GameSpy's Raymond Padilla named the experience "deep, devilishly enjoyable, and unique".[40]

Reviewers generally considered the missions an improvement over Grand Theft Auto III, although some noted occasional awkwardness and frustration.[11][40] IGN's Perry wrote that the game's missions give players "a stronger feeling of being inside a story within a world that truly exists".[41] Game Informer's Matt Helgeson found the missions to be more complex,[39] and AllGame's Marriott felt that the storyline was improved as a result. Marriott also found the lead character of Tommy to be more engaging than Grand Theft Auto III's Claude;[4] IGN's Perry felt that Rockstar "found the right person and the right choice",[41] and Edge wrote that Tommy "sweats charisma", commending Ray Liotta's performance.[12]

An urban city centre, surrounded by trees with a blimp in the sky, at sunset.
Vice City, the city featured in the game's open world. Reviewers praised its design and detail, noting that it felt more alive than Grand Theft Auto III's Liberty City.

The game's open world design was praised by reviewers, many of whom felt that it contained more detail and felt more alive than its predecessors.[4][6] GameSpy's Padilla made favourable comparisons between Vice City and Grand Theft Auto III's Liberty City, noting the former's level of detail.[40] Game Revolution's Ben Silverman wrote that the game's depth is "unparalleled", praising the world's realism and detail,[10] while AllGame's Scott Alan Marriott commended the "ambitious scope in design".[4]

Marriott of AllGame named Vice City an "unforgettable listening experience",[4] and Perry of IGN declared the music as "the most impressive list of songs in a game".[41] Many reviewers commended the game's radio stations and talk radio,[6][11] and many felt that the game's collection of licensed 1980s music fit the tone and time period of the world.[10][40] The voice acting also received praise;[39] GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann named the cast of characters "colorful and memorable",[11] and IGN's Perry found the voice acting "among one of the best of its kind".[41] Game Revolution's Silverman felt that the acting "gives the story credence".[10]

Many reviewers found that the game offers a better variety of vehicles than Grand Theft Auto III,[6][39][40] and found them easier to control;[10] GameSpot's Gerstmann named the driving "more exciting and dangerous",[11] and IGN's Perry found the motorcycle's controls pleasing.[41] In addition to the vehicle handling, reviewers noted improvements in the targeting and shooting mechanics, although still recognised issues.[4][10][11][41] Helgeson of Game Informer wrote that "targeting is improved to the point where combat can actually be fun".[39]

Some reviewers recognised an improved draw distance over Grand Theft Auto III, although many identified frame rate drops during hardware-intense sequences.[11][40][41] The changes in character models polarised reviews; while GameSpy's Padilla and IGN's Perry noted the improvement in character models,[40][41] Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell considered it "maddening to see that character ... models haven't been smartened up at all".[6] The game's artificial intelligence and long load times were frequently criticised in reviews,[12][6][11] and many reviewers noted the awkward camera angles and environment during gameplay.[4][12][39]

Microsoft Windows version

When Vice City was released to Microsoft Windows in May 2003, it received similar critical acclaim. Metacritic calculated an average score of 94 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 30 reviews.[43] It was the highest-rated Windows game on Metacritic in 2003.[48] Reviewers liked the visual enhancements,[7][46] and were generally positive towards the control improvements.[44][45][47]

The port's visuals received a positive response from reviewers. AllGame's Mark Hoogland praised the improved car details, environment textures, and weather effects;[44] GameSpot's Greg Kasavin echoed similar remarks, nothing occasional frame rate drops.[7] GameSpy's Sal Accardo commended the draw distance improvements, identifying very few texture issues.[46] IGN's Steve Butts found the port's system requirements to be reasonable, unlike Grand Theft Auto III, and praised the faster load times.[47] Eurogamer's Martin Taylor was critical of the visuals, stating that the higher resolutions "aren't kind to the overall visual quality", and criticising the hardware requirements.[45]

The control changes of the port were generally well received. Most reviewers found the targeting and shooting mechanics to be improved with mouse and keyboard controls;[7][47] Eurogamer's Taylor called them "far more fluid",[45] and GameSpy's Accardo wrote "there's simply no substitute for aiming with a mouse".[46] However, the driving control changes were widely criticised;[6] IGN's Butts called it "crap".[47] AllGame's Hoogland found the controls to be "more forgiving" over time.[44]

Mobile version

When Vice City was released on mobile devices in December 2012,[56][57] it received generally positive reviews. Metacritic calculated an average score of 80 out of 100, based on 19 reviews.[2] Reviewers liked the enhanced visuals,[49][50] but criticism was directed at the touchscreen controls.[51][53]

The port's visuals were well received. Destructoid's Chris Carter felt that they "[suit] the neon and bright pastel veneer", and wrote that the "new lighting effects and smoothed-out engine really allow the game to pop like it never has before".[49] IGN's Justin Davis praised the updated character models, lighting and textures,[50] and Touch Arcade's Eric Ford noted that the "visuals are improved but not in a drastic manner".[55] NowGamer found that the mobile display improves the visual enjoyment of the game, despite the issues with the original game.[52] Tom Hoggins of The Telegraph identified some issues with character models, but stated "the city looks terrific".[54]

Most reviewers criticised the port's touchscreen controls. Pocket Gamer's Mark Brown found them "not ideal", but noted that this was also the case in the original game,[53] while Digital Spy's Scott Nichols felt that the game "only complicated [the controls] further".[51] IGN's Davis was thankful for the addition of customisable controls, and wrote that they "make the experience much more controllable",[50] and Touch Arcade's Ford greatly appreciated the developer's efforts to "make the situation bearable".[55] Destructoid's Carter spoke favorably of the controls, despite noting awkward character movement,[49] while The Telegraph's Hoggins found the controls "far more accomplished" than Grand Theft Auto III's mobile port.[54]

Commercial performance

Sales

Within 24 hours of its release, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City sold over 500,000 copies.[58] Within two days of its release, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City sold 1.4 million copies, making it the fastest-selling game at the time.[59] It was the highest-selling game of 2002 in the United States,[60] and had sold 5.97 million units by June 2004,[61] and 8.20 million units by December 2007.[62] In February 2005, it was re-released as part of PlayStation's Greatest Hits selection, indicating high sales.[63] In Japan, Vice City sold about 223,000 copies in its first week, and over 410,000 by January 2008.[64] The game earned a "Diamond" award in the United Kingdom, indicating over one million sales.[65] By March 2008, the game had sold 17.5 million units worldwide, making it the third best-selling PlayStation 2 game.[66]

Accolades

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City received multiple nominations and awards from gaming publications. It was named the Best PlayStation 2 game at the 1st British Academy Games Awards,[67] the Golden Joystick Awards,[68] and from Entertainment Weekly,[59] IGN[69] and GameSpot.[70] It was also awarded the prestigious Ultimate Game at the Golden Joystick Awards.[71] The game was awarded Best Action/Adventure Game from the British Academy Games Awards,[72] GameSpot,[73] and IGN.[74] The game's sound was awarded: it received the award for Best Music from GameSpot,[75] and the nomination for Best Sound,[76] and won the award for Sound at the British Academy Games Awards.[77] It won Design at the British Academy Games Awards,[78] and was nominated for Best Graphics (Technical and Artistic) from GameSpot.[79][80] The game was runner-up of IGN's Reader's Choice Overall Game of the Year,[81] and was nominated for GameSpot's awards for Best Story.[82] It was awarded Best PC Game at the British Academy Games Awards.[83]

Controversies

Similar to its predecessors, Vice City generated several controversies. It has been labelled as violent and explicit, and is considered highly controversial by many special interest groups.[citation needed] Peter Hartlaub of SFGate noted the game's "mindless violence", but simply attributed it to the developers attempt to achieve accuracy.[84] Jeremy Pope, who worked on various Rockstar games including Vice City, vowed never to work on violent games again, due to their portrayal in mainstream media.[85] In Australia, the game was pre-edited to receive an MA15+ classification;[86] an uncensored version was released in the region in 2010, retaining its classification.[87]

The game allows players to harm immigrant Haitians (pictured) and Cubans. Civil rights organisations accused the game of inviting ethnic violence, and of featuring discriminatory phrases.

In November 2003, the Haitian Centers Council and Haitian Americans for Human Rights staged a protest in New York publicly criticising the game, contending that it invited players to harm Haitian immigrants, and claiming that it depicted Haitians as "thugs, thieves and drug dealers".[88] In response, Rockstar issued a press release apologising acknowledging the concern, but insisted that the violence should be taken within the context of the game, which also contains violence towards other ethnic groups.[89] When New York mayor Michael Bloomberg threatened distributor Take-Two Interactive with legal action, the company apologised and removed offensive statements from future copies of the game.[90] In January 2004, North Miami's majority Haitian-American council filed an ordinance to illegalise selling or renting violent games to anyone under 18 without parent permission. The proposal, apparently sparked by Vice City, was supported by North Miami mayor Josaphat Celestin, who stated "We don't believe the First Amendment was written to protect those who want to incite violence".[91] The case was later downgraded from federal court to state court.[92]

On 7 June 2003, 18-year-old Devin Moore shot and killed two Alabama police officers and a dispatcher before fleeing in a patrol car; he was later apprehended. In statements to police, Moore reportedly said "Life is like a video game. Everybody's got to die sometime".[93] A $600 million lawsuit was filed against Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, Sony Computer Entertainment, GameStop and Wal-Mart, claiming that Moore frequently played Vice City, and that his experience with the game led him to commit the crimes. The plaintiffs' attorney Jack Thompson claimed it was the graphic nature of the game that caused the murders.[94] Thompson removed himself from the case Strickland v. Sony in November 2005,[95] after being scrutinised by the judge for unprofessional conduct.[96] In March 2006, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the defendants to dismiss the case.[97]

In September 2006, Thompson brought another $600 million lawsuit against Cody Posey, Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, and Sony Computer Entertainment.[98][99] The lawsuit claimed that 14-year-old Posey played the game obsessively before murdering his father, stepmother and stepsister on a ranch in Hondo, New Mexico.[100] Posey's defense team argued that he was abused by his father,[101] and was taking Zoloft at the time of the killings.[102] The suit alleged that the murders would not have taken place if Posey had not obsessively played Vice City.[103] The case was dismissed in December 2007, as New Mexico held no jurisdiction over Sony or Take-Two.[104]

Legacy

The readers of Official UK PlayStation Magazine named Vice City the fourth-greatest PlayStation title ever released.[105] Vice City also appeared on Japanese magazine Famitsu's readers' list of top 100 games in 2006; it was one of the only Western titles on the list.[106]

Ports and remakes

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released for Microsoft Windows on 12 May 2003, supporting higher screen resolutions and draw distance, and featuring more detailed textures.[107] The game was planned to release on the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox, but the former was later cancelled.[108] For its release on the Xbox in December 2003, Vice City was bundled with Grand Theft Auto III in a compilation titled Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack. The Xbox port features custom soundtrack support as well as improved audio, polygon models, and reflections over the previous ports.[109] Double Pack was later bundled with San Andreas in a compilation titled Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, released in October 2005.[110] The Trilogy was also released for OS X on 12 November 2010.[111] For the game's tenth anniversary in December 2012, War Drum Studios ported Vice City to several iOS and Android devices.[57][112] The port is almost identical to the Windows version of the game, in addition to enhanced visuals and a customisable layout.[56] A PlayStation 3 version of Vice City was released on 30 January 2013 via the PlayStation Network.[113] The original PlayStation 2 version of the game was released for the PlayStation 4 on 4 December 2015.[114]

References

Notes
  1. ^ Rockstar Vienna ported the game to Xbox,[1] and War Drum Studios ported the 10th Anniversary Edition to iOS and Android.[2] Rabcat Computer Graphics worked on porting the vehicles to the Xbox version.[3]
  2. ^ Grand Theft Auto: Vice City shares its status as the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 2 game on Metacritic with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec and Madden NFL 2003. The PlayStation 2 games that are rated higher than Vice City are Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Grand Theft Auto III, Resident Evil 4 and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.[42]
Footnotes
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  2. ^ a b c "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Projects". Rabcat Computer Graphics. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Marriott, Scott Alan. "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Level Design Q&A". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. 28 February 2003. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  7. ^ a b c d e Kasavin, Greg (23 May 2003). "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Rockstar North 2002, p. 9
  9. ^ Speer, Justin (26 January 2009). "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Walkthrough". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  14. ^ Sulic, Ivan; Perry, Doug (7 April 2003). "Inside Vice City". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 3. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Rockstar North 2002, p. 14
  16. ^ a b c "Rockstar Games - Design/Designer Information". Design Museum. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  17. ^ a b "The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City". Edge. Future plc. 7 December 2012. p. 2. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2016. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 10 December 2012 suggested (help)
  18. ^ Walker, Trey (22 May 2002). "E3 2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City announced". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Calvert, Justin (15 October 2002). "GTA: Vice City goes gold". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  21. ^ Sulic, Ivan; Perry, Doug (7 April 2003). "Inside Vice City". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 2. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ a b "The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City". Edge. Future plc. 7 December 2012. p. 1. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
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  28. ^ "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Animation Q&A". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. 28 February 2003. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Physics Q&A". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. 15 March 2003. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Sulic, Ivan; Perry, Doug (7 April 2003). "Inside Vice City". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 1. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  32. ^ Sulic, Ivan; Perry, Doug (7 April 2003). "Inside Vice City". IGN. Ziff Davis. p. 4. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Skipper, Ben (3 March 2015). "Former Rockstar music director explains how GTA radio soundtracks are put together". International Business Times. IBT Media. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Calvert, Justin (10 September 2002). "GTA: Vice City to be released alongside soundtracks". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Calvert, Justin (3 October 2002). "GTA: Vice City soundtrack CD-ROM details". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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Sources

External links