Xbox has long suffered from a dearth of quality titles in which it’s possible to carjack a sedan, use it to pick up a hooker and drive her to a secluded spot (say, to discuss politics), then beat her like a bass drum and steal her hard-earned ducats when she attempts to leave. The drought ends shortly. Spokesmen for Rockstar Games have confirmed the news that’s been rumored for months—on November 4, Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City for Xbox will be released together in a single (currently unnamed) pack for $49.99. (On October 22, the same pack will also arrive for PS2—for $39.99. Ouch.)

While Rockstar can’t confirm any embellishments to the Xbox version of Vice City, representatives say that the GTA3 edition contains graphical updates and small cosmetic changes, though there are no alterations to the game’s mature-rated story, missions, or basic play. “Developing for Xbox has allowed us to add some technical enhancements,” says Rockstar’s Public Relations Director Jeff Castaneda. “But ultimately, this is about being immersed into the experience that is Grand Theft Auto III.”

Screenshots demonstrate the graphical tweaks. “Perhaps the biggest addition to the title is the use of specular lighting,” Castaneda says. “[It] enables us to cast light from every street lamp and headlight in real time.” In-game characters and vehicles have been upgraded with higher-detail models, according to Rockstar’s list of enhancements, to give them a more seamless look. “The Xbox version has allowed us to fully skin the characters as in Vice City,” Castaneda says. “Each major character model has been updated, including new features like independent fingers.”

Reflection-mapping techniques serve to illustrate the differences between the game’s cars, trucks, trains, and boats. “We now cast real-time reflections of varying degrees on each vehicle,” says Castaneda. “You’ll notice the cars range from glossy-looking high-end sports cars to the more run-down, low-end station wagons.” Other improved effects are sprinkled about—rain now adheres to the game’s camera, and radiosity (a light-modeling technique) has been augmented to make flames appear more realistic.

If independent fingers and new rain effects don’t get you excited, maybe this will: To keep up with the times, high-definition TV (HDTV) 720P support has been added, as well as a 16:9 aspect ratio for widescreen televisions. The game also supports Dolby 5.1 surround sound, as well as Xbox’s custom soundtrack capabilities; players can rip their own CDs to the Xbox hard drive and use them in-game. To accommodate this, GTA3 includes a new in-game “CD changer” that sorts through custom soundtracks. Topping off the features list is a set of controls that come pre-set in two separate styles (Classic or Xbox) and are also fully customizable.

Grand Theft Enemies

Because of its high profile and controversial gameplay, GTA3 aroused the ire of such political groups as the National Organization for Women (whose Web site proclaimed, “‘Ugly’ is too kind a word for this product”). It also drew fire from U.S. legislators, who sought to make it illegal to sell the game to minors, and the continent of Australia, whose government banned the game until its sexual content was excised.

For Those Who Just Joined Us…

Maybe you’ve been in prison, or researching on some remote Alaskan base for the last two years, and you don’t really know why there’s such a hubbub about this game. Here’s the scoop: GTA3, released in 2001 for PS2 and later on the PC, won accolades for its open-ended play, sweeping crime-based story arcs, and huge environments. As an anonymous thug, players can perform all sorts of criminal mischief on foot or while driving, including but not limited to: robberies, carjackings, assassinations, bombings, and vehicular homicides. Also included are electronic women of the night who, when picked up and driven to a private spot...restore your health.

Copyright © 2003 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.