The GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) and DGSE (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure) are the French security services featured in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Description[]
GIGN is a military special forces unit, similar to the British SAS, while DGSE is an intelligence agency similar to the American CIA. The "GIGN" name is derived from the internal files of GTA Vice City.
Both the GIGN and DGSE are some of the few non-American law enforcement agencies to appear in the Grand Theft Auto series, along with the MPS and the British Secret Service.
Events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
The GIGN and DGSE appear twice in GTA Vice City, during Mall Shootout and All Hands On Deck!. The missions, which are given by Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez, relate to Cortez's conflict with French authorities over the illegal purchase of chips (which are properties of the French government presumably to be used for military equipment). The situation escalates to the point when Cortez is forced to flee Vice City to an unknown country.
During Mall Shootout, GIGN units intervene in a deal between Tommy Vercetti and Pierre La Ponce, forcing the dealers to flee from a hail of gunfire from the GIGN. The units can be easily confused with the VCPD SWAT, due to similar uniform and voice. In All Hands On Deck!, Cortez is forced to flee the city on his yacht after learning that the French are closing in on him. French DGSE agents attempt to block the escape and kill or apprehend Cortez, but their attempts are thwarted by his crew and Vercetti, who help Cortez flee Vice City by killing a number of French personnel. During an early cutscene in the mission, DGSE agents may be seen arriving at the marina in unique black Washingtons, which are obtainable by the player. Other vehicles used during the mission include various boats, as well as two Mavericks, and a Hunter, all of which are also destroyed by Vercetti.
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
- Mall Shootout (GIGN operators)
- All Hands On Deck! (DGSE agents)
Gallery[]
Equipment[]
Vehicles[]
Weapons[]
Trivia[]
- GIGN operators use the same body and armor model as the Cerberus agents and their leader from Manhunt, albeit with different textures, head models and with the real-life GIGN patch.
- GIGN operators are slightly similar to the beta SWAT and were probably used before.[ref?ref?This fact is likely to be disputed and needs a source for confirmation.]
See Also[]
- CIA, the American DGSE counterpart in the 3D Universe.
- IAA, the American DGSE counterpart in the HD Universe.
