Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, the first expansion of the GTA series, turns 25

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A milestone in the GTA series

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 is the first expansion pack for the original Grand Theft Auto game, released in March 1999 for PlayStation and Windows. It was developed by Rockstar Canada in collaboration with Rockstar North (then DMA Design) and published by Rockstar Games.

The expansion pack is set in London in 1969, and features missions, vehicles, weapons, and music inspired by the British culture and the Swinging Sixties. The player can choose from eight different protagonists, each with their own backstory and personality, and work for various criminal gangs in London.

The expansion pack was well received by critics and fans alike, who praised its humor, atmosphere, and gameplay. It sold over one million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling expansion packs of all time. It also introduced several features that would become staples of the GTA series, such as multiple protagonists, side missions, and radio stations.

A tribute to the British roots of GTA

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 was a tribute to the British roots of the GTA series, as well as a homage to the classic British films and TV shows of the 1960s, such as The Italian Job, The Avengers, and The Sweeney. The expansion pack featured many references and Easter eggs to these works, as well as to other aspects of British culture and history.

The expansion pack also featured an original soundtrack composed by Craig Conner and Stuart Ross, who used authentic instruments and recording techniques from the 1960s to create a retro sound. The soundtrack included original songs performed by fictional bands, as well as licensed songs from real artists such as The Small Faces, The Who, and The Kinks.

A legacy that lives on

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 is widely regarded as one of the most influential and memorable expansion packs ever made. It marked the first time that the GTA series ventured outside of the United States, and paved the way for future GTA games to explore different locations and time periods. It also established Rockstar Games as a leading developer and publisher of open-world games.

The expansion pack has been re-released several times over the years, most notably as part of the Grand Theft Auto: The Classics Collection in 2004. It is also available for download from Rockstar Games' website. The expansion pack has also inspired many fan-made mods and remakes, such as GTA: London 1961, GTA: London Stories, and GTA: Underground.

As Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it remains a testament to the creativity and innovation of the GTA series, and a beloved part of its history.