<Tr> <Th> First release </Th> <Td> Grand Theft Auto October 1997 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Latest release </Th> <Td> Grand Theft Auto V 17 September 2013 </Td> </Tr> <P> Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is an action - adventure video game series created by David Jones and Mike Dailly; the later titles of which were created by brothers Dan and Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies and Aaron Garbut . It is primarily developed by Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design), and published by Rockstar Games . The name of the series references the term used in the US for motor vehicle theft . </P> <P> Most games in the series are set in fictional locales modelled on cities, usually either Liberty City, Vice City or San Andreas, which are stand - ins for New York City, Miami and the state of California, respectively . The first game encompassed three fictional cities, while subsequent titles tend to emphasise a single setting . Gameplay focuses on an open world where the player can choose missions to progress an overall story, as well as engaging in side activities, all consisting of action - adventure, driving, third - person shooting, occasional role - playing, stealth and racing elements . The series focuses around many different protagonists who attempt to rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld, although their motives for doing so vary in each game . The series also has elements of the earlier beat' em up games from the 16 - bit era . The antagonists are commonly characters who have betrayed the protagonist or his organisation, or characters who have the most impact impeding the protagonist's progress . Film and music veterans have voiced characters, including Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Samuel L. Jackson, James Woods, Debbie Harry, Phil Collins, Axl Rose and Peter Fonda . With its British origin, the series contains satire and humour . </P>

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