logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
18m 38s

The game that shocked the world

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Grand Theft Auto changed gaming forever. In this programme we find out how.

Chris Warburton meets the creative team from Dundee in Scotland who came up with the concept for Grand Theft Auto 25 years ago. We look into how it was picked up, marketed and ultimately sold to millions and millions of us.

Grand Theft Auto was revolutionary, but it was also controversial with its depictions of shocking, graphic violence. This is the story of how the game and its makers overcame moral panic, political opposition and naysayers to become one of the most successful entertainment brands of a generation.

Presenter: Chris Warburton Producer: Ciaran Tracey Image: GTA: Credit: Getty Images

Up next
Today
The cocoa conundrum
<p>Can Europe be weaned off cheap chocolate? EU efforts to block cocoa linked to deforestation were due to come into force at the end of this year – but have faced multiple delays. Another vote is due to take place soon. Some parties are pushing for further delay and modification ... Show More
20m 42s
Yesterday
Is this the end for South East Asia's scam centres?
<p>It’s one of the biggest human trafficking operations of modern times. Scam centres across South East Asia have been making hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s estimated, conning people into fake crypto-currency investment schemes. </p><p>But now these centres could ... Show More
18m 29s
Nov 24
Monetising Machu Picchu
<p>Peru is home to Machu Picchu - the ancient Inca city in the Andes mountains. </p><p>It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The popular tourist destination attracts millions of visitors, making it very lucrative for the government, local a ... Show More
17m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
Grand Theft Auto: How the Scottish game outraged on release
<p>A new action-adventure computer game - designed in Scotland - became a surprise global hit in 1997. But Grand Theft Auto also courted controversy and sparked debate over violence and drugs in video games. Paul Schuster spoke to Brian Baglow - one of the original team behind th ... Show More
10 m
Dec 2013
Grand Theft Auto
A new computer game - designed in Scotland - became a surprise global hit in 1997. But Grand Theft Auto also courted controversy and sparked debate over violence and drugs in video games. Listen to Brian Baglow - one of the original team behind the launch. 
8m 55s
Dec 2023
Microcast: GTA 6 reveal, The Game Awards 2023
Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, on (potentially) our final Microcast of 2023.Today's discussion begins with the reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, from the changes at Rockstar since GTA 5 to the sales expectations and potential impact the ... Show More
27m 23s
Feb 2014
The Cars of GTA V
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most controversial - and popular - titles in gaming today. And, whether you love or hate it, you have to admit: they've got some nice cars in the game. Join Scott and Ben as they take a closer look at the cars of Grand Theft Auto. Learn more about ... Show More
44m 3s
May 2021
10 Simple Facts Most Gamers Don't Know - The Original Pac-Man Has A Safe Spot! The Mobile Gaming Market Is Bigger Than Console & PC Combined! Adult Women Play More Video Games Than Teenage Boys! Resident Evil Holds The Guinness World Record For "Worst Game Dialogue Ever"
Grand Theft Auto V sold more in 2020 than any year since launch. Josh Brown presents 10 Simple Facts Most Gamers Don't Know... ENJOY! Follow us on Twitter:@JoshBroown@WCultureGaming Check out our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whatculturegaming For even more awesome content, check ... Show More
10m 8s
Sep 2023
"Based on a true story"
When a group of amateur investors rallied around the stock for GameStop back in 2021, the story blew up the internet. News outlets around the world, including us here at Planet Money, rushed in to explain why the stock for this retail video game company was suddenly skyrocketing, ... Show More
28m 55s
Aug 2023
Take-Two Interactive: GTA and NBA 2K - [Business Breakdowns, EP.124]
This is Matt Reustle and today we are breaking down Take-Two Interactive Software. If you listened to our Business Breakdown on Electronic Arts, Take Two is another giant in the video game publishing space. They are best known for their Grand Theft Auto and 2K franchise. To break ... Show More
54m 51s
Dec 2020
Riot Games: Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill
At USC in the late 1990s, Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck were bonding over video games and noticing that free, player-made modifications for the game <em>Warcraft III</em> were becoming wildly popular online. The two friends were so impressed by these mods that they decided to cre ... Show More
1h 31m
May 2017
Video Games
From Spacewar to Pokemon Go, video games – aside from becoming a large industry in their own right – have influenced the modern economy in some surprising ways. Here’s one. In 2016, four economists presented research into a puzzling fact about the US labour market. The economy wa ... Show More
9m 11s
May 2020
Sponsored: When Small Businesses Think Big - Atari & Red Bull (Dell Podference) | 1
<p>This episode is brought to you by Wondery in partnership with Dell Technologies. In honor of small businesses, we’re featuring inspiring stories of successful companies that started out small.</p><p>In 1972, pinball machines and mechanical games ruled the arcades. Then, Atari ... Show More
31m 39s