GTA development began in the mid-1990s, with the project officially kicking off in 1995 and the first game released in 1997.
Details:
- The original Grand Theft Auto (the first in the series) started development on April 4, 1995, at DMA Design in Dundee.
- The game underwent a prolonged development cycle, including a title change from Race’n’Chase and iterations on design, engine, and gameplay before its 1997 release.
- Additional context on the series’ early history notes that Race’n’Chase evolved into Grand Theft Auto during development, laying the groundwork for the franchise that followed.
Direct answer:
- Start of making GTA: 1995 (development began April 4, 1995).
- First release: 1997 (Grand Theft Auto).
