Rockstar: GTA5's multi-character approach was a 'leap of faith'

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Grand Theft Auto 5's inclusion of multiple playable protagonists was one of its defining features, but Rockstar art director Aaron Garbut admitted in a recent interview with Edge that the mechanic was a risky move with a potential to backfire.

Garbut revealed that protagonist-switching mechanics were planned from the beginning of GTA5's development as the team pieced together character dynamics and the game's overall tone. While he feels that the feature worked to the game's benefit in the end, Garbut notes that the team took a big risk in making such a critical change to the core GTA series formula.

"[Having] multiple characters was a leap of faith," Garbut explained. "It was an interesting idea, and it felt like we could do interesting things with it, but it also felt like a change to the core of the game that might backfire. I think it really worked out. It's so hard during development to get perspective -- you get so used to looking for the problems that it becomes almost impossible to step back and see the positives."

Grand Theft Auto 5 featured a story in which protagonists Michael, Franklin, and Trevor take part in key narrative moments both individually and as a group, allowing players to switch between the trio throughout. Previous series entries traditionally featured a single playable protagonist.

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Related Forum: Grand Theft Auto Forum

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/04/rockstar-gta5s-multi-character-approach-was-a-leap-of-faith/

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"Rockstar: GTA5's multi-character approach was a 'leap of faith'" :: Login/Create an Account :: 105 comments

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SouulLXPosted:

Frankin is a good character, this was a very good move by Rockstar.

SIKSPosted:

Well in order to succeed they needed to come out with something different than the previous gta's. So it was a big gamble but they sure did succeed with the idea.

MortarPosted:

I think the idea is great as it provides a more interesting story mode and allows players to do more opposed to having a single character. I look forward to what the future DLC will bring to the table and how it will change the story mode playability, I am sure that it will make it even more enjoyable.

Martin_Luther_PingPosted:

The only problem with the characters in GTA 5 is how they are going to top them in GTA 6. Trevor, Michael, and Franklin were perfect for each other.

XenoChristPosted:

I loved what they did. Putting more then one character was an amazing idea.

AsboPosted:

It was a really good addition to the GTA series.

DohPosted:

I wish you had that choice in GTA 4. I have not even played GTA 5 Yet!

MoBoPosted:

It really paid off for them, though. Really nice feature and has evolved GTA for the good :D

HonkPosted:

CreaturesHax I agree with them. I think this should be in GTA 6. But they should have a lot of time to develop it so it can be the best GTA! Hope they don't bring it out for a while as I don't want it like CoD coming out every year.


I would love for them to bring 3 characters back!

DissPosted:

I wonder if we will be seeing the same thing from GTA VI