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Grand Theft Auto 3's Iconic Cinematic Camera: A Train Ride's Unexpected Legacy
The now-iconic cinematic camera angle in the Grand Theft Auto series owes its existence to a surprisingly mundane source: a "boring" train ride in Grand Theft Auto 3. Former Rockstar Games developer Obbe Vermeij recently shared the behind-the-scenes story of this feature's creation.
Vermeij, a veteran who contributed to several GTA titles including GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 4, has been sharing development anecdotes on his blog and Twitter. His latest revelation details the genesis of the cinematic camera, a staple of the series since its 3D debut in GTA 3.
Initially, Vermeij found the in-game train journey monotonous. He considered allowing players to skip it, but technical limitations (streaming issues) prevented this. His solution? He implemented a camera that dynamically shifted between viewpoints along the train tracks, enhancing the otherwise dull experience. The idea's unexpected success led to its adaptation for car driving after a colleague suggested the same approach, resulting in the feature's widespread adoption and enduring popularity. The team, Vermeij recalls, found the result "surprisingly entertaining."
While the camera remained unchanged in Vice City, it underwent revisions in San Andreas by another developer. A fan even demonstrated what the original train journey would have looked like without the cinematic camera, prompting Vermeij to clarify that the ride would have resembled a standard, slightly elevated rear-view of the train carriage.
Vermeij's recent contributions also include verifying details from a significant GTA leak, confirming the existence of an abandoned online mode for GTA 3. He revealed his involvement in creating a rudimentary deathmatch prototype, but the project was ultimately scrapped due to its considerable development needs. The leaked design documents showcased plans for character creation, online missions, and progression systems for this unrealized online component.
