Grand Theft Auto, abbreviated to GTA, is a video game series created by David Jones and Mike Dailly then later by brothers Dan and Sam Houser, and game designer Zachary Clarke. It is primarily developed by Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design), and published by Rockstar Games. The name of the series is derived from a term referring to motor vehicle theft. The series is set in fictional locales heavily modelled on American cities, while an expansion for the original was based in London. It is usually either set in Liberty City, Vice City, or San Andreas, which are stand-ins for New York City, Miami, and Southern California. Earlier games were set in all three fictional cities, but newer games are set in only one and its outlying areas. Gameplay focuses on an open world where the player can choose missions to progress an overall story, as well as engaging in side activities, all consisting of action-adventure, driving, third-person shooting, occasional role-playing, stealth, and racing el...