This is a project to preserve the original promotional Grand Theft Auto Flash websites from 2001 to 2008, following Adobe Flash end-of-life (EOL) on December 31, 2020. All major web browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge ended support for Flash-based websites, meaning their content is inaccessible.
These websites have been created using HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, aiming to recreate their original counterparts as close as possible. Please read this Medium article for a more in-depth analysis of the project. This project was featured on ScreenRant on May 13, 2020.
The original Flash-based websites for various Grand Theft Auto titles were created as promotional content by Rockstar Games and Carnevale ID between 2001 and 2008 and removed in late 2020. Carnevale ID began working for Rockstar Games in 2001, putting together some promotional sites that gained online buzz. It was one of those serendipitous connections that came from a friend whom Rockstar had contacted about an online hip-hop game.
But it was their work on the website for the runaway 2001 hit "Grand Theft Auto III" that put Carnevale on the map. "GTA III" went on to be one of the best-selling games of all time, thanks, in part, to a free-form sandbox style of gameplay and its offbeat humor and unapologetic use of violence.
Later, Carnevale developed sites for other installments in the franchise, including "San Andreas" and "Vice City," while continuing to work with local clients. The websites provide an overview of the world players can explore. The game also refers players to websites Carnevale designed for fake products and businesses that inhabit the GTA world.
Since 2010, Rockstar Games has stopped using Adobe Flash for their promotional websites, but continues working closely with Carnevale ID on current titles.
COPYRIGHT
All images, sounds and other assets used in these websites belong to Rockstar Games.
ACCESSIBILITY
Adobe Flash was a technology designed for mice, so it's not recommended to visit these websites using a touchscreen. However, a mobile version is available on landscape mode, holding your finger over an element will simulate a hover effect. You can also connect a mouse to your phone through USB OTG.
It is strongly advised to use a desktop or laptop with a mouse for the best experience.
COOKIES
These websites use cookies from Google Analytics to analyze traffic. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to the use of cookies.
CHANGELOG
September 2021
Replaced Vice City map inside Crime Wall.Added Media Gallery to multiple points of interest.
April 2021
Replaced official Rockstar websites links with Wayback Machine links.Added dialogues for VCBI Agents Bruce and Bob inside Impounded Vehicles, Confiscated Weapons and Crime Tree.Added ability to drag weapons inside Confiscated Weapons.Added Suspicious Businesses.Replaced official Rockstar websites links with Wayback Machine links.Added missing sounds for email close button.Replaced background images for various news reports to be more accurate to the original site.Added missing MeTV News logos.Redesigned interface to be more accurate to the original site.Added missing visual effects.Added BitterSweet tips and disclaimers.Added content to LibertyCityNightLife.com.Added missing Weazel News report.
March 2021
Added missing transition screens.Redesigned Impounded Vehicles to be more accurate to the original site.
January 2021
Added intro videos.Added ZiT video.
November 2020
Added seamless neighborhood load.Added various missing videos.Added various missing wiretap recordings.Redesigned police reports to be more accurate to the original site.Replaced intro sound with the correct one.Added The Martin Serious Show Message Board.Added Bean Machine video.
October 2020
Added numbered points of interest to the map.Added Liberty City Radio.
September 2020
Added missing assets inside some points of interest.Added intro video.Launched site.
Redesigned Radio Player to be more accurate to the original site.Added missing animations inside Confiscated Weapons and Crime Tree.Added street sounds toggle.Redesigned map screen to be more accurate to the original site.