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| + | [[File:Top-down perspective (GTA1).jpg|thumb|325px|right|Top-down perspective in ''[[Grand Theft Auto (1997 game)|Grand Theft Auto]]''.]] |
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| − | {{Wikipedia|Top-down perspective}} |
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| + | '''[[wp:Top-down perspective|Top-down perspective]]''' was a prominent camera view used in the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series, where the player and their surroundings are viewed from overhead, rather than being able to look in any direction. In the manuals of the first two games, it is called 'OJ Cam'. |
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| + | ==Overview== |
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| − | '''Top-down perspective''' was a prominent camera view used in the [[Grand Theft Auto series]], where the player and their surrounding is viewed overhead. Its use in the series is short-lived, having been the defacto camera view in [[Grand Theft Auto 1]] (including its [[Grand Theft Auto: London 1969|London 1969]] and [[Grand Theft Auto: London 1961|London 1961]] expansion packs) and [[Grand Theft Auto 2]], only to decline in importance as one of several alternate camera views in [[Grand Theft Auto III]] and be removed entirely in [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]. The view has only enjoyed limited use thereafter. |
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| + | It was the standard viewpoint adopted in early ''GTA'' games, including ''[[Grand Theft Auto (1997 game)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' (as well as its ''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1969|London 1969]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1961|London 1961]]'' expansion packs), ''[[Grand Theft Auto 2]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto Advance]]''. It is one optional camera view in ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'', the first [[3D]] game, and a variation of the view is used in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]'', even though that is technically a 3D game. |
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| + | The view can be obtained briefly in ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV|GTA IV]]'' by rotating the camera above the vehicle and holding it there. The [[Video Editor]] for ''GTA IV'' can also obtain this view, as can several third-party camera modifications for the [[3D Universe]] games. |
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| − | == Description == |
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| ⚫ | Adopted in both |
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| + | In ''[[Grand Theft Auto V|GTA V]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online|GTA Online]]'', the top-down perspective can be obtained when switching views in helicopters. A quick top-down perspective also appears when [[Switch Scenes|switching characters]]. The [[Tiny Racers|Tiny Racers Adversary Mode]] was added to ''GTA Online'' as a nod towards the classic 2D ''Grand Theft Auto'' titles, to give the [[GTA Online Protagonist|player]] a new flavor of vehicle combat. |
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| ⚫ | The use of top-down perspective by early GTA games was complemented by the use of a 3D engine that permits the ability to render a portion of a large city as seen overhead, albeit with limited flexibility on city design. The height of buildings and structures are restricted to a certain height, while long underground roadways could not be effectively included unless they are used by trains or partially exposed, as the player would not be able to see underground traffic. The inclusion of gradients in the terrain, however, are possible in top-down perspective, allowing the player to perform jumps off high areas or ramps. Height in a top-down perspective was also used in |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Description== |
| ⚫ | Adopted in both ''GTA'' and ''GTA 2'' as the only camera angle in game, the view simply depicts the player and their surrounding from a bird's eye view, directly over the player at a considerable height. The camera system adjusts its height from the player according to the movement and position of the player, relative to the speed in which the player travels. When on foot, the camera draws closer to the player, reducing the player's line of sight as the player moves slower. When inside a vehicle, however, the camera moves further up, and some more when the vehicle's speed increases. Top-down perspective has the disadvantage of a limited line in sight, rendering speedy travel somewhat difficult as the player has little room to foresee the traffic ahead; this, coupled with the lack of camera orientation, made navigation and aiming difficult. |
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| − | Top-down perspective was evidently featured in GTA1 and GTA2, but fell out of use when GTA III introduced [[RenderWare|an improved graphics engine]] and freeform camera view that enabled players to better move around and explore the environment. GTA III retained top-down perspective as a camera option, but as an alternate view. A year later, the view was dropped in GTA Vice City. |
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| ⚫ | The use of top-down perspective by early ''GTA'' games was complemented by the use of a [[Three-Dimensional|3D]] engine that permits the ability to render a portion of a large city as seen overhead, albeit with limited flexibility on city design. The height of buildings and structures are restricted to a certain height, while long underground roadways could not be effectively included unless they are used by [[Train (vehicle)|trains]] or partially exposed, as the player would not be able to see underground traffic. The inclusion of gradients in the terrain, however, are possible in top-down perspective, allowing the player to perform jumps off high areas or ramps. Height in a top-down perspective was also used in ''GTA 2'' to comical effect to exaggerate the effects of explosions on people; certain individuals would be flung high enough by a blast that they pass the camera, before plummeting to their deaths. |
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| − | Only three titles since GTA III have featured top-down perspective as a camera option, two of which are not titles traditionally developed by [[Rockstar North]] (DMA Designs). [[Grand Theft Auto Advance]], developed by [[Digital Eclipse]], opted for top-down perspective as its camera view due to hardware limitations on the Game Boy Advance; the PC version of [[Grand Theft Auto IV]] also features an "overhead" view as one of its camera views on its Video Editor, but does not adopt it in actual gameplay; while [[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]], developed by [[Rockstar Leeds]], is slated to include a hybrid of the view with a forward-viewing angle. |
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| + | ==Gallery== |
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| + | <gallery position="center" spacing="small"> |
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| + | Drive-on-left.png|''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1969]]''. |
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| + | GTA_-_London_1961.png|''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1961]]''. |
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| + | Image:Top-down perspective (GTA2).jpg|''[[Grand Theft Auto 2]]''. |
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| + | Image:Top-down perspective (GTA3).jpg|''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''. |
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| + | Image:Time's Up.png|[[Grand Theft Auto Advance]]. |
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| + | Image:Top-down perspective (GTA4).jpg|Top-down perspective in ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]''s Video Editor. |
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| + | Topdowncamera_GTACW.jpg|''[[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]''. |
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| + | Image:TinyRacers-GTAO-Official1.png|Top-down perspective in the [[Tiny Racers]] [[Adversary Modes|Adversary Mode]] for ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]''. |
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| + | SwitchCharacters_GTAV.gif|Switching characters in ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]''. |
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| + | TopDownView-GTAV-Helicopter.PNG|Top-down perspective in a [[Frogger]]. |
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| + | </gallery> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==See also== |
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| + | *[[First-Person View]] |
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| + | *[[Third-Person View]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA 1]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA 2]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA III]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA Advance]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA Chinatown Wars]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA V]] |
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| + | [[Category:Features in GTA Online]] |
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[[Category:Terminology]] |
[[Category:Terminology]] |
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Revision as of 04:46, 15 April 2020
Top-down perspective in Grand Theft Auto.
Top-down perspective was a prominent camera view used in the Grand Theft Auto series, where the player and their surroundings are viewed from overhead, rather than being able to look in any direction. In the manuals of the first two games, it is called 'OJ Cam'.
Overview
It was the standard viewpoint adopted in early GTA games, including Grand Theft Auto (as well as its London 1969 and London 1961 expansion packs), Grand Theft Auto 2 and Grand Theft Auto Advance. It is one optional camera view in Grand Theft Auto III, the first 3D game, and a variation of the view is used in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, even though that is technically a 3D game.
The view can be obtained briefly in GTA IV by rotating the camera above the vehicle and holding it there. The Video Editor for GTA IV can also obtain this view, as can several third-party camera modifications for the 3D Universe games.
In GTA V and GTA Online, the top-down perspective can be obtained when switching views in helicopters. A quick top-down perspective also appears when switching characters. The Tiny Racers Adversary Mode was added to GTA Online as a nod towards the classic 2D Grand Theft Auto titles, to give the player a new flavor of vehicle combat.
Description
Adopted in both GTA and GTA 2 as the only camera angle in game, the view simply depicts the player and their surrounding from a bird's eye view, directly over the player at a considerable height. The camera system adjusts its height from the player according to the movement and position of the player, relative to the speed in which the player travels. When on foot, the camera draws closer to the player, reducing the player's line of sight as the player moves slower. When inside a vehicle, however, the camera moves further up, and some more when the vehicle's speed increases. Top-down perspective has the disadvantage of a limited line in sight, rendering speedy travel somewhat difficult as the player has little room to foresee the traffic ahead; this, coupled with the lack of camera orientation, made navigation and aiming difficult.
The use of top-down perspective by early GTA games was complemented by the use of a 3D engine that permits the ability to render a portion of a large city as seen overhead, albeit with limited flexibility on city design. The height of buildings and structures are restricted to a certain height, while long underground roadways could not be effectively included unless they are used by trains or partially exposed, as the player would not be able to see underground traffic. The inclusion of gradients in the terrain, however, are possible in top-down perspective, allowing the player to perform jumps off high areas or ramps. Height in a top-down perspective was also used in GTA 2 to comical effect to exaggerate the effects of explosions on people; certain individuals would be flung high enough by a blast that they pass the camera, before plummeting to their deaths.
Gallery
.jpg "Top-down perspective (GTA2).jpg (361 KB)")
.jpg "Top-down perspective (GTA3).jpg (462 KB)")
.jpg "Top-down perspective (GTA4).jpg (138 KB)")
.jpg){kind=link}
