Grand Theft Auto 3's Cinematic Camera Angle: A Train Ride's Unexpected Legacy
The iconic cinematic camera angle, a staple of the Grand Theft Auto series since Grand Theft Auto 3, had an unexpectedly humble origin: a "boring" train ride. Former Rockstar Games developer Obbe Vermeij recently shared the behind-the-scenes story of this now-famous feature.
Vermeij, a veteran who contributed to GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 4, frequently reveals development anecdotes on his blog and Twitter. His latest post details the genesis of the cinematic camera. Initially, he found the in-game train ride monotonous. While he considered allowing players to skip it, this proved impossible due to potential streaming issues. His solution? He implemented a camera that dynamically shifted between viewpoints along the train tracks, enhancing the otherwise dull journey.
The shift from a mundane train ride to a series-defining feature happened when a colleague suggested applying the same dynamic camera to car journeys. The team found the result "surprisingly entertaining," thus solidifying the cinematic camera angle's place in GTA history.
While the angle remained unchanged in Vice City, it underwent revisions in San Andreas by another developer. A fan even demonstrated what the original train ride would have looked like without the cinematic camera, prompting Vermeij to clarify it would have resembled a standard, slightly elevated rear-view of the train carriage.
Vermeij's insights extend beyond camera angles. He recently corroborated details from a significant GTA leak, confirming Rockstar's past exploration of an online mode for GTA 3. He revealed his contribution: a rudimentary deathmatch implementation, ultimately scrapped due to its requiring substantial further development.
