In recent years, the gaming community has witnessed controversies surrounding remastered editions of beloved classics. The release of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: The Definitive Edition was one such debacle. Despite the anticipation and excitement, this remaster quickly gained a reputation for being subpar. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why the GTA Trilogy Remaster fell short of expectations.
It wasn’t Rockstar, it was Grove Street Games
The disappointing state of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: The Definitive Edition can be attributed to the studio behind the remaster, Grove Street Games, rather than Rockstar themselves. Grove Street Games was the studio hired by Rockstar to handle the remaster project, and it appears that the issues surrounding the release were a result of their work. This outsourcing decision proved to be a misstep, as it left fans wondering why the project wasn’t handled with the care and attention that Rockstar’s iconic franchise deserved.
Rockstar’s Poor Communication
One of the initial concerns before the release of the GTA Trilogy Remaster was Rockstar’s poor communication with its fan base. Gamers were uninformed about important details and received minimal information about the remastered edition. This lack of transparency created a negative impression, causing fans to doubt the quality of the project.
Rockstar apologized for the mess they released two years ago:
(…)
We want to provide an update regarding the unexpected technical issues that came to light as part of the launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
Firstly, we want to sincerely apologize to everyone who has encountered issues playing these games.
The Grand Theft Auto series — and the games that make up this iconic trilogy — are as special to us as we know they are to fans around the world. The updated versions of these classic games did not launch in a state that meets our own standards of quality, or the standards our fans have come to expect.
(…)
Rockstar Games, via Rockstar Newswire
You can read the full post here, on the official Rockstar Newswire site: https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/393o373751k48k/a-note-from-the-rockstar-games-team-re-grand-theft-auto-the-trilogy-th
The Rockstar Games Launcher Debacle
Rockstar’s launcher, used to access their games on PC, proved to be a point of contention for players. The launcher had gone two years without any updates, and its outdated interface and functionality resembled something created by a novice game developer. To make matters worse, shortly after the trilogy’s release, the Rockstar Games launcher went down for maintenance. While such downtime is common after a game’s launch, it lasted a staggering 24 hours, causing players to lose access to the games they had just purchased.
To add insult to injury, Rockstar removed the newly released trilogy from the launcher during this period, essentially telling players to “deal with it.” This move was attributed to the unintentional inclusion of files in the remastered versions, a clear oversight on Rockstar’s part.
Comparisons to Fan-Made Mods
One of the most damning pieces of evidence against the remastered trilogy was the comparison to fan-made mods. It became evident that Rockstar couldn’t match the quality of these mods, which showcased superior graphics and fidelity compared to the official remaster. This revelation raised questions about the effort and dedication put into the remaster, as it seemed that fans were able to achieve better results independently.
Watch this video for the comparison. This video is made by BlackPot:
Visual and Technical Issues
Perhaps the most glaring issues with the GTA Trilogy Remaster were the numerous visual and technical problems. Character models suffered from bizarre deformities and awkward textures, making the characters look inhuman at times. The removal of facial expressions and a lack of detail further hampered the visual experience, leaving players with a subpar rendition of the beloved classics.
In addition to the visual problems, technical issues plagued the remaster. Players reported janky animations, poor lighting, and low frame rates, even on modern gaming consoles. It was clear that the remaster was riddled with problems that hindered the overall gameplay experience.
Lack of Care and Consideration
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the GTA Trilogy Remaster was the perception that Rockstar had shown little care or consideration for these iconic games. These titles played a pivotal role in establishing Rockstar’s reputation and success, making it all the more disappointing that the remaster seemed rushed and half-hearted. Gamers were left wondering why a billion-dollar company couldn’t invest more time and effort into honoring their own legacy. They gave the work to GSG (Grove Street Games, as mentioned before).
The authors opinion
In my opinion, these three games (GTA 3, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas) are the finest GTA games and have a lasting impact. It is unfortunate that a new third-party game studio like Grove Street Games developed our beloved childhood games with such a decline in quality. While there were some positive aspects like improved graphics, that was essentially it. After two years, Rockstar Games has resolved the major problems, but it was disrespectful to release the games in such a flawed state. This act was disrespectful towards both Rockstar and their fanbase.
Conclusion
In summary, the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: The Definitive Edition’s failure can be attributed to a combination of factors, including poor communication, technical issues, and a lack of care from Rockstar Games. But mostly: The games were remastered by a third-party studio called Grove Street Games… While the original trilogy remains a testament to the company’s legacy, the remaster serves as a stark reminder of how even the most beloved franchises can be mishandled. Ultimately, the only silver lining is that this debacle has driven some players to revisit the original games, which continue to stand the test of time.
English 
Deutsch 
Français 
Español 
Português do Brasil 
Nederlands