Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Rockstar changed Grand Theft Auto III’s planned North American box art overnight after the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to co-founder Dan Houser. The original, action-heavy illustration stayed on European packaging; artist Stephen Bliss created the replacement mosaic design that became a hallmark of Rockstar’s presentation.
Why did GTA III’s cover change?
In excerpts from a 2011 interview with IGN, Houser recalled that Rockstar reconsidered the planned North American cover after 9/11. He described the original as an old-movie-poster-style illustration: it showed a blown-up bridge, police firing into the air, helicopters and characters depicted at different sizes. Houser said the team felt it was “a bit heavy” and did not fit the moment.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Grand Theft Auto III | $4.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Grand Theft Auto III (Renewed) | $12.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Grand Theft Auto III: Official Strategy Guide | $109.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack: Grand Theft Auto III / Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | $38.50 | Buy on Amazon |
Houser said the replacement was developed in an evening. In the interview excerpt reproduced by GTA III News, he said: “What’s become the very staple of our marketing and presentation was done in an evening as a response to 9/11.” His account makes the redesign a direct response to the circumstances, rather than simply a routine packaging refresh.
Recommended Free Tools
What was the original cover, and where was it used?
The original artwork was an illustrated, crowded action scene with the dramatic, cinematic look Houser compared to an old movie poster. Houser said it remained in use on the European packaging while the new design replaced it for North America. A GameSpot cover-art retrospective published in June 2026 also identifies Stephen Bliss as the artist of the mosaic replacement and reports that the earlier design appeared on the European release.
#1 Best Overall
- ESRB Rating: Mature
- Genre: Action/Adventure
| Cover | What it looked like | Use and context |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier illustrated design | Action-heavy, old-movie-poster-style scene with a bridge, police, helicopters and characters at different scales | Houser said it remained on European packaging after Rockstar changed the planned North American art |
| Replacement mosaic design | Mosaic-style composition; GameSpot credits Stephen Bliss | Created in an evening for North America after 9/11, according to Houser; he said the style became a staple of Rockstar’s marketing and presentation |
The available accounts establish this regional distinction, but do not provide a complete inventory of every packaging variant by release, territory or reprint.
What else changed after the attacks?
Houser also recalled practical disruption and a small set of content adjustments. He said roadblocks kept Rockstar’s New York staff from entering the office for five days. He described removing one mission, changing the path of a non-interactive jumbo jet so it would not appear to pass through a building, and editing some talk-radio lines. Engadget’s October 2011 summary also recounts the office-access problem and the limited changes Houser described; the interview remains the primary source for his wording.
Rank #2
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Sony Playstion 2 Grand Theft auto
Houser said Rockstar was close to the events and believed it could make informed judgments about what was appropriate. These details provide context for the cover decision, but they are recollections of the studio’s response—not a complete list of every change made to the game.
When did GTA III come out?
Take-Two Interactive said in its 2011 tenth-anniversary announcement that Grand Theft Auto III was originally released for PlayStation 2 in October 2001, and marked its anniversary on October 22, 2011. The release timing places the redesign in the period immediately surrounding the game’s launch. The announcement also reported a Metacritic score of 97 at that time, but that rating is about the game’s reception, not evidence for why its cover changed.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- From the dark and seedy streets of Liberty City's underworld to the glamorous hedonism of Vice City of the 1980s, the Grand Theft Auto double-pack takes you through the huge worlds of Grand Theft Auto III and it's sequel Vice City. The highly controversial Grand Theft Auto III gives you the freedom to go anywhere and jack anyone, putting the dark, intriguing and ruthless world of crime at your fingertips. Vice City is an entirely new game set in the '80s, preserving and adding to the
Rank #3
- Used Book in Good Condition
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
