A BBC drama about controversial video game Grand Theft Auto has been ridiculed online by the Dundee-based creators of the game.
Former Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe starred in last night’s drama The Gamechangers.
It told of the battle between Rockstar Games co-founder Sam Houser, played by Radcliffe, and a Christian lawyer called Jack Thompson who believes the game is responsible for encouraging US teenager Devin Moore to steal a car and kill three police officers.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FyKDztRmiwA%3Frel%3D0
However, the programme, which focused on the period between the release of GTA: Vice City in 2002 and GTA: San Andreas two years later, has been criticised for overlooking the role of DMA Design, the Dundee company behind the first two titles in the franchise, and Rockstar North, the Edinburgh-based successor to DMA responsible for many of the later versions of the game.
The 90-minute drama was not authorised by Rockstar Games and the company itself appears to have been incredulous at much of the programme.
The company Tweeted:
@BBC Was Basil Brush busy? What exactly is this random, made up bollocks?
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) September 15, 2015
Steve Hammond was among those who worked on the original GTA bemused at what they saw on screen.
https://twitter.com/snap2grid/status/643893950768619520
He also posted a handy reminder about where Grand Theft Auto’s origins truly lie:
https://twitter.com/snap2grid/status/643879966032003072
Brian Baglow, who wrote the script for GTA, was alsobemused by much of the programme and particularly its depictions of how video games are actually made and the refusal to acknowledge the game’s Scottish origins:
Sorry guys. Couldn't SHOW Edinburgh. Budgets. You know. #gamechangers
— Brian Baglow (@flackboy) September 15, 2015
As was Mike Dailly, another veteran of the original games and now working at Dundee’s YoYo Games:
Ah yes,all those days we were break dancing in the office.I forgot about that. I often dance around the office – ask anyone#TheGamechangers
— Mike Dailly™ (@mdf200) September 15, 2015
The programme is available to watch on iPlayer.
DMA Design founder Dave Jones was among those who worked on the original Grand Theft Auto.
Mike Dailly has posted the original design document for the game, under its original title Race ‘N’ Chase, here.