Article Overview
- Obbe Vermeij, a former developer at Rockstar Games, disclosed that Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA 3) almost implemented a one-star wanted level for players who ran red lights.
- This concept was discarded swiftly due to a lack of support from other team members.
- Vermeij also shared insights about the mechanics behind the traffic light system in GTA 3.
A former developer from Rockstar Games, Obbe Vermeij, recently shared a fascinating anecdote about the beloved Grand Theft Auto 3. The game briefly considered introducing a feature that would penalize players with a one-star wanted level for disobeying traffic lights. However, this feature was quickly scrapped as it failed to gain traction among the development team.
Upon its release in 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3 represented a pivotal shift in the franchise, marking its entrance into a fully realized 3D universe. While the initial installments were successful, the leap to 3D opened the doors for many unforgettable titles, such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto V. Even as these games turn decades old, Rockstar has typically maintained a level of secrecy regarding their development processes. Fortunately, Vermeij has emerged as a source of nostalgia and insight for fans seeking to learn more about the series’ origins.
GTA 3’s Almost Enforced Traffic Laws
In a recent Twitter discussion, Vermeij elaborated on the traffic light system in GTA 3, noting that the lights operate in three distinct phases: for north/south traffic, east/west traffic, and pedestrian crossings. He explained that the model orientation of the traffic lights dictated their cyclical operation. Interestingly, even if a player managed to knock over a traffic signal, the underlying code stored in road nodes ensured that vehicles continued to obey traffic lights. The most compelling revelation from Vermeij was the nearly implemented wanted level for running red lights, which was abruptly discarded because of its unpopularity among developers.
In gta3, traffic lights cycle through 3 states: North/South East/West Pedestrians The traffic light’s model orientation determines its cycle, and at startup, my code stored the cycle in the road nodes. This is why, even if the light was knocked over, cars still obeyed the light.— Obbe Vermeij (@ObbeVermeij) February 14, 2025
The introduction of a penalty for traffic violations could have drastically altered the game’s play style, potentially detracting from GTA 3’s core appeal. As highlighted by a Twitter user, numerous open-world games, such as Mafia, do impose traffic regulations, but this can slow down gameplay significantly. User Michael Hamilton pointed out that while enforcing traffic laws adds realism, it may not deliver an enjoyable experience. Vermeij responded by suggesting that such mechanics might align better with Mafia’s slower-paced gameplay than with the frenetic energy of Grand Theft Auto.
In 2021, Grand Theft Auto 3 was remastered as part of a trilogy alongside Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. However, the remastered version faced significant criticism upon launch, with players and critics pointing out various visual glitches and bugs. The remasters, known as Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, were developed by Grove Street Games, which had previously focused on mobile ports. Although Rockstar has issued updates to rectify many issues, reviews for the trilogy stay mixed, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced in modern game remasters.
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