GTA 3 Was Almost An Xbox Exclusive But Microsoft Rejected It Skip to content Click here to check out the GameByte Shop great games, consoles and more! What could have been? GTA 3 Was Almost An Xbox Exclusive But Microsoft Rejected It 15 December 2021 by Richard Breslin GTA 3 was almost an Xbox exclusive. That was until Microsoft rejected its proposal. Talk about a missed opportunity. As revealed in the Microsoft documentary series “Power On: The Story of Xbox”, GTA 3 was proposed to the company, but executives believed that it wouldn’t be a success. In the documentary, former Xbox Director of 3rd Party Relations, Kevin Bachus, revealed that he was approached by a small game publisher called DMA Design. In 2001, Rockstar Games approached Microsoft to pitch GTA3 for the original Xbox but the Microsoft execs outright rejected them – thus forcing them turn to Sony to make the title a limited time exclusive for the PS2, according to a new released documentary by Xbox. pic.twitter.com/ijrJUGlc6g- Ben Turpin (@videotech_) December 14, 2021 The small publisher proposed the idea of transitioning the original top-down GTA games into the 3D world that came to be Grand Theft Auto 3. Unfortunately, at the time, the executives believed that the transition from 2D top-down to a 3D world wasn’t possible. GTA 3 would then launch on the PS2.ADVERT ADVERT GTA 3 is one of the most historic games ever Credit: Rockstar Games However, as we all know, that transition was not only possible but GTA 3 is one of the most successful video games of all time. Furthermore, it set a new benchmark of what’s expected of open-world video games. GTA 3 would become the best-selling game in 2001. It would have also been the best-selling game in 2002, but it was toppled by its sequel, GTA: Vice City. Grand Theft Auto 3 and the following two sequels would eventually come to the original Xbox, but by that time, the series was synonymous with the PlayStation brand. Sure, Xbox ended up being fine without having Grand Theft Auto 3 as an exclusive. But I can’t help but think about what could have been. How do you feel about GTA 3 nearly being an Xbox exclusive? Let us know across our social media channels.ADVERT ADVERT Today, GTA 3 is available as part of the Grand Theft Auto: Definitive Edition – The Trilogy for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Shop with GameByte Do not forget you can find great games and more on the GameByte Shop! Our store is stocked up with the latest games, merch, and accessories. We might even have a new-gen console or two! Sign up to our newsletter to be notified of our console drops, deals and more. Please note that the GameByte Shop is available for UK customers Credit only. Featured Image Credit: Rockstar GamesADVERT ADVERT TweetShareSharePin Follow us on @GameByte @gamebyte GameByte GameByte GameByte Noobs Play @GameByte @gamebyte GameByte GameByte GameByte Noobs Play External Links Policy GameByte Staff About GameByte Advertise with us Careers Ambassador Program Contact Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Manage Cookies Preferences Submit Your Content FragHero Sporf 9 to 5 Life Social Chain Social Chain Agency