The recent update for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition brought much-needed fixes, but also sparked controversy by removing Grove Street Games, the developer, from the initial splash screen. This unexpected change has prompted Thomas Williamson, Grove Street Games’ CEO, to express his discontent on X (formerly Twitter).
While players noted Grove Street Games remains in the end credits, Williamson’s post highlights the studio’s contribution to the hundreds of bug fixes included in the update. He expressed frustration that these fixes, developed years ago, were only recently implemented, and the studio’s prominent credit removed.
A screenshot from Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy showing character models, vehicles, and updated visuals
The GTA Trilogy, comprising Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and San Andreas, initially launched in 2021 on PC and consoles. However, the release was met with criticism due to visual downgrades, including flattened colors, performance problems, poor lighting, and blocky water.
Many of these issues were addressed when the trilogy arrived on Netflix, and those improvements are now finally available across other platforms, creating a more consistent experience for players on everything but the Nintendo Switch. Williamson’s post suggests Grove Street Games played a key role in implementing these improvements.
This update, despite resolving long-standing technical issues, raises questions about crediting developers, especially when substantial contributions are involved. The removal of Grove Street Games from the splash screen, while retaining their presence in the end credits, creates a nuanced situation.
The ongoing dialogue surrounding the GTA Trilogy underscores the importance of recognizing developer contributions and the challenges involved in updating classic titles for modern audiences. The situation also raises questions about the relationship between Rockstar Games and Grove Street Games and the decisions behind crediting practices.
