# The unlikely story of how a young group of Scots created ‘GTA’ 30 years ago

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-unlikely-story-of-how-a-young-group-of-scots-created-gta-30-years-ago/
- Published: 2026-11-15T04:00:11+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T12:34:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Le Monde (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/11/15/the-unlikely-story-of-how-a-young-group-of-scots-created-gta-30-years-ago_6781183_117.html
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming, World

## Key points

- DMA Design made the first GTA in Dundee.
- The game evolved through years of experimentation.
- GTA V has generated about €9 billion.

## Summary

A young team at Dundee studio DMA Design created the original Grand Theft Auto, whose experimental design helped launch one of gaming’s most successful franchises. The article revisits the game’s origins as anticipation builds for the sixth instalment, illustrating how an unlikely Scottish project grew into a global entertainment phenomenon.

The team spent more than two years developing the game through trial and error, and its name reportedly came from a BMG marketing director drawn to police jargon. Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, has generated about €9 billion in revenue and is described as the second best-selling game in history, behind Minecraft. Aaron Garbut, the original DMA Design creator who stayed with the project, is now co-director of Rockstar North.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.