GTA, Bring on the Clones

[IntvGene]

I just picked up GTA 3 and started playing it again. I love the series. It's not for the violence, but I find driving around real fun and the missions are for the most part, well-designed, challenging and enjoyable. It has an arcade feel to it which I really like.

But, it's got me thinking... Where are all the GTA clones? So far, most of the games have taken some of its violence and applied it, but nobody has really gone out and made a game like it yet. Sure, there was Getaway, but even that wasn't really the same, it was much more cinematic. Mafia relies on indoor sequences much more than GTA. I am just surprised because with the derivative nature of all these game companies these days, it's alot easier to copy the successful games rather than design your own, innovative title.

The series has been a success in sales, and even the Getaway was too, so why we aren't swimming in GTA clones. Is it difficult to program? Too much effort with the voices and music, etc for any of the smaller companies to do? Is the violence turning off the developers? But, as I said before, without the violence, I think it could still be a successful game. Looking forward to the next GTA, I don't care where the game is set, I am not expecting a major improvement in graphics, I just want more of the same thing. So, why hasn't anyone else been able to provide that?

[jaybird]

My guess is it's taken awhile for them to develop anything that even resembles GTA. You can't just make a car driving game or an exploration game. You have to do both.

True Crime by Activision for Xbox looks like GTA with better hand-to-hand combat. It should be the first to try to steal GTA thunder whenever it hits.

[Sniderman]

Oh, there are games in the works. Best example would be The Simpsons: Hit and Run. coming out this year.

[IntvGene]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Simpson's Hit and Run. They copied Crazy Taxi with mixed results, let's hope they realize they need more than the Simpson's voices to make a game good this time.

True Crime looks interesting. I just took a look at a preview for it. It looks to be along the lines of the Getaway a bit more with its cinematics.

What I like a lot about GTA is the humor. It doesn't take itself too seriously.

[Drexel923]

Tony Hawk Underground looks like it kind of copies GTA minus the violence...now you can get off your board, walk around, jump in a car, do random missions I believe. I think that a bunch of companies have cleverly taken the idea of free roaming that was in GTA instead of straight up copying it.

[boatofcar]

I saw a review of Postal 2 on Tech TV....what a shallow game. Would you consider it to be a GTA clone?