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 unlikely origin: a "boring" train ride. Former Rockstar Games developer Obbe Vermeij recently shared the behind-the-scenes story.
Vermeij, a veteran who contributed to GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 4, initially designed the camera angle to alleviate the monotony of the in-game train journeys. He explains that skipping the train ride entirely wasn't feasible due to potential streaming issues. His solution? A dynamic camera that shifted between viewpoints along the train tracks.
The innovation unexpectedly transcended its original purpose. After a colleague suggested adapting the camera system for cars, the team found the result "surprisingly entertaining," thus birthing a defining feature of the series.
While the cinematic camera angle remained untouched in Vice City, it received an overhaul in San Andreas by a different developer. A fan's experiment removing the angle from GTA 3 highlighted its impact, demonstrating a starkly different, less engaging train ride. Vermeij confirmed the original train camera would have been similar to the standard car perspective – a view from above and slightly behind.
Vermeij's recent contributions also include verifying details from a significant GTA leak last December. This leak revealed plans for an online mode for GTA 3, including character creation and online missions. Vermeij confirmed his involvement in developing a rudimentary deathmatch mode, ultimately scrapped due to requiring extensive further development.
