Grand Theft Auto III Multiplayer was a cut multiplayer feature intended for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto III.
Description[]

Unused "Powered by GameSpy" logo found in the menu.txd
texture container for the game's menu.
The multiplayer feature was originally intended to make its return from Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2 to the series' full 3D reboot in Grand Theft Auto III. According to unused UI textures, the now defunct GameSpy provided the multiplayer matchmaking servers for GTA III.
The leftover menu texts lists eight different game types (Deathmatch, Deathmatch Stealth, Team Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch Stealth, Stash the Cash, Capture the Flag, Rat Race and Domination) and eight different maps (Liberty City, Red Light, The Docks, Industrial Park, Chinatown, Staunton, The Tower and The Sewer).
On January 5th, 2012, Rockstar Games commented about the removed feature in a Q&A Newswire article, explaining that Rockstar North developers tried to implement the multiplayer feature at some point during the development of Grand Theft Auto III, but the way it was coded "did not feel it would ever really be good enough". Instead, the developers decided to focus on the game's mission pack (which was shortly after rebranded as a standalone title – Grand Theft Auto: Vice City), instead of dedicating a team within Rockstar North to code the multiplayer feature.
On May 22, 2024, former Rockstar North technical director Obbe Vermeij briefly commented on X.com about the cut multiplayer feature he coded circa 2001.
Game Boy Advance[]
One year after the game's original release, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive provided the rights to British video game developer Crawfish Interactive to develop a Game Boy Advance port of Grand Theft Auto III.
Four multiplayer modes were originally planned for the handheld game. Crawfish developer Dave Murphy explained, "Yes multiplayer was planned but we probably wouldn't have got it in there, with the time the project running over."
- Liberty City Survivor - Standard death match similar to GTA and GTA 2 on PC.
- City Circuit - Racing on pre-set routes round the three islands.
- Car Jack Crazy - Players race to collect a list of vehicles and return them to their garage.
- Special delivery - All players fight over a package which must be taken to their base.
The whole Game Boy Advance title was eventually cancelled after the studio's closure in November 2002, and rebooted as a handheld exclusive GTA III prequel – Grand Theft Auto Advance, released in 2004.
Leftovers[]
Texts[]
Leftovers of the multiplayer menu can still be found in the american.gxt file for the PC version.
Mutiplayer menu text:
[FEM_MP] MULTIPLAYER [FEF_LAN] LAN [FEF_INT] INTERNET [FEN_CON] Connection [FEN_GAM] Find game [FEN_TY] Game type [FEN_GNA] Game name: [FEN_NAM] Name: [FEN_NCI] NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET [FEN_NET] Network [FEN_PLA] Number of players: [FEN_PLC] Player color [FEN_PLS] Player settings [FEN_UKH] Unknown host [FEN_UKM] Map not found [FEN_UKT] Game type not found [FET_MAP] SELECT MAP
Mutiplayer gamemodes and maps text:
[FEN_TY0] Deathmatch [FEN_TY1] Deathmatch stealth [FEN_TY2] Team Deathmatch [FEN_TY3] Team Deathmatch stealth [FEN_TY4] Stash the Cash [FEN_TY5] Capture the Flag [FEN_TY6] Rat Race [FEN_TY7] Domination [FEM_MA] Liberty City [FEM_MA] RedLight [FEM_MA] Chinatown [FEM_MA] The Tower [FEM_MA] The Sewer [FEM_MA] Industrial Park [FEM_MA] The Docks [FEM_MA] Staunton
In addition, the ped.dat
file contains entries for PLAYER1
, PLAYER2
, PLAYER3
and PLAYER4
, suggesting this feature originally supported up to four players.
PLAYER1 2.0 6.0 6.0 0.0 15.0 PLAYER2 2.0 6.0 6.0 0.0 15.0 PLAYER3 2.0 6.0 6.0 0.0 15.0 PLAYER4 2.0 6.0 6.0 0.0 15.0
Maps[]
The following screenshots are from the few multiplayer maps found in the 10th Anniversary Edition, converted by GTA Forums user "Zmey20009" to the PC version [2]
Neighborhood Zones[]
For unknown reasons, Grove Street Games (then known as War Drum Studios) left certain multiplayer maps in the game files for the 10th Anniversary Edition of Grand Theft Auto III for mobile devices. Some of the maps, particularly the neighborhood zones, are replicas of their singleplayer counterpart with a few layout alterations to prevent the player from leaving the map during a match. New staircases are placed in alleyways for the players to access certain rooftops.
Liberty City[]
Multiplayer match taking place across the entire Liberty City.
Staunton[]
Multiplayer match taking place in Staunton Island.
The Docks[]
Multiplayer match taking place at the docks, presumably Portland Harbor.
Red Light[]
Multiplayer match taking place in the Red Light District.
Chinatown[]
A replica of Chinatown, adapted for multiplayer matches, with new rooftop access areas.
Dynamic objects used in singleplayer missions are missing from the multiplayer maps, including the doors of Mr. Wong's Laundrette and Bank of Liberty in the Chinatown map. It is unknown whether this was intentional, as Rockstar North developers did not create an interior for the bank for these maps. The empty interior of the bank was created for the bank robbers to stand still inside during the mission The Getaway.
Industrial Park[]
A replica of Pike Creek, adapted for multiplayer matches with new walls, gates and reused Portland buildings to prevent the player from leaving the area. It also features new passageways, barricaded roads and destroyed walls.
The Tower[]
A remodeled version of the Staunton Plaza construction site in Fort Staunton will multiple accessible levels. This map does not include the cutscene scenario used in Asuka Kasen's second string of missions.
The Sewer[]
A complete different area never explored in the singleplayer game. The area consists of a sewer map with a blown-up wall giving access to a bank vault. This map features unique props never seen in the singleplayer game, such as wine racks, coffins, gold bars and dynamite crates.
Video[]
References[]
[]
Grand Theft Auto games | Cancelled|
---|---|
Main titles | Race'n'Chase • Grand Theft Auto 1.5 • Grievous Bodily Harm • Grand Theft Auto 2.5 • Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo • Grand Theft Auto: Bogota • Grand Theft Auto: Sin City • Grand Theft Auto III (Game Boy Advance - Crawfish Interactive) |
Ports | Grand Theft Auto (Sega Saturn) • Grand Theft Auto 64 • Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (PlayStation) • Grand Theft Auto 2 (Nintendo 64) • Grand Theft Auto III (Game Boy Advance - Destination Software) • Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR • Grand Theft Auto III (Gamecube) • Grand Theft Auto Vice City (Gamecube) • Grand Theft Auto V (Wii U) |
Multiplayer | Grand Theft Auto: Online Crime World • Grand Theft Auto: Online • Cancelled Multiplayer in GTA III • Cancelled Multiplayer in GTA V (The CnC Heist) |
Downloadable Content | Grand Theft Auto 2000 • Grand Theft Auto 2: Berlin Mission Pack • Mission Packs in GTA San Andreas • Unnamed GTA Liberty City Stories downladable content • Grand Theft Auto V: Story Mode DLC ("Agent Trevor" Episode & Assassination Pack • "Zombie Apocalypse/Norman" Episode • "Alien Invasion" Episode • The "Be Lucky: Los Santos" Casino Heist • North Yankton Prologue • Liberty City Expansion • Manhunt Pack • Enterprise • Relationship Pack) • Cancelled Grand Theft Auto Online Updates (Army • Cops'n'Crooks (2013) • Fixes • Heists 2 • Intel And Surveillance • Jobs • Promoter • Relationships • Sports • St. Patrick's Day • Thanksgiving • Summer • Cops'n'Crooks (2020)) |
Tech Demos | Godzilla Takes America (GTA III Tech Demo) |
Spin-offs | ZTA |