Among the classic titles that immediately bring gamers waves of nostalgia isGrand Theft Auto: Vice City. Originally released in 2002, this beloved classic transported gamers to the sunny beaches of the fictitious Vice City which took plenty of inspiration from the real world city of Miami in the 1980s. Thanks tothe recent remasteredGrand Theft Autotrilogy, which unfortunately had a rocky launch, fans have been soaking in the nostalgia now more than ever, with one Reddit user taking it to another level.
Posting to the GTA subreddit this week, user NayamAmarshe stumbled uponGrand Theft Auto: Vice City’s original promotional website, reminding many of the more simple times before social media where gamers had to visit their most anticipated games' official websites to get all of their information. While the website is no longer accessible officially, Reddit user Eddielowfilthslayer posted his own dedicated recreation of the original site in the thread, allowing anyone to relive their past and check out what the website had to offer.
RELATED:GTA Online Liberty City Easter Egg Discovered 9 Years Later
The website itself is truly a sight to behold, showing just how much careRockstar puts into every aspect of their games, even back then. Unlike most websites at the time, which were more simple and straightforward,Vice City’s took the form of an interactive office overlooking the world’s beachside scenery, complete with charming animations and transitions as each clickable object told players more about the game. Here players could sample the game’s soundtrack, view some weapons at protagonist Tommy Vercetti’s disposal or check out the vehicles available to drive in-game.
This kind of dedication to just the promotional website of the game was certainly not uncommon in the early days of the internet. Often it was a way for developers to convey more of the tone and feel of their game in an interactive form that trailers and screenshots couldn’t. Nowadays though, they mostly exist ascharming time capsules of times in gaming’s pastthat many gamers yearn to return to.
Nevertheless, it’s truly wonderful to seethese old relics of previous gaming generations like the N64be brought back into the fold and reignite passions of games that brought happy memories to so many. Thanks to Reddit users like NayamAmarshe and Eddielowfilthslayer for bringingVice City’s original website back into light, fans who may have originally missed the content now have a way to revisit and experience
MORE:Every Game With A 97+ Metascore, Ranked By How Long They Take To Beat