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Entertainment • Video Game

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a 2002 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a 2002 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fourth main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series and is set in a fictional version of Miami called Vice City in 1986. The story follows Tommy Vercetti as he builds criminal power after a drug deal goes wrong.

Gameplay and structure

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is an open-world action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. Players complete story missions and other activities while exploring the city and building influence in the criminal underworld.

Setting

The game takes place in Vice City, a fictional metropolis modeled on Miami. Its 1986 setting and coastal design draw heavily on 1980s Florida culture, crime, and nightlife.

Plot

The story follows Tommy Vercetti, who is released from prison and sent to Vice City after a botched drug deal. He searches for those responsible while gradually establishing his own criminal empire.

Release and platform history

The game was released in 2002, first for PlayStation 2 and later for other platforms, including PC and mobile versions. It became one of the best-known entries in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Key facts

  • The game was developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.
  • It is the fourth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series and the sixth entry overall.
  • The story is set in 1986 in the fictional Vice City, which is based on Miami.
  • The player controls Tommy Vercetti, who rises to power in the city’s criminal underworld.
  • The game is part of the series’ 3D-era titles and is widely associated with its 1980s setting and neon-soaked aesthetic.
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Canadian context

The game has had a significant Canadian audience as part of the globally popular Grand Theft Auto franchise, but it has no specific Canada-only setting or narrative focus in the available sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City?
It is a 2002 action-adventure video game in the Grand Theft Auto series, developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.
When is the game set?
The game is set in 1986.
Where does the game take place?
It takes place in Vice City, a fictional city based on Miami, Florida.
Who is the main character?
The protagonist is Tommy Vercetti.
What series is it part of?
It is part of the Grand Theft Auto series and is the fourth main installment.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto:_Vice_City
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release year, series position, setting, protagonist, and plot overview.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto
    Supports: Vice City’s basis on Miami and its place in the broader series setting.
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto:_Vice_City
    Supports: Release year, platform history, genre, third-person view, and Miami-based setting.
  4. IGN — https://www.ign.com/games/grand-theft-auto-vice-city
    Supports: Release timing and general gameplay details such as era-specific vehicles and music.