Above the Law

Posted 07/16/2008 at 11:49am | by Steve Tilley

It was great returning to Liberty City, but where to next? OXM already has tons of ideas for the next Grand Theft Auto — and it all starts with a tarnished badge...

We've played and replayed Grand Theft Auto IV, jacking an entire Detroit's worth of steel, busting thousands of caps in an equal number of asses, and dating more women than some of us will ever get close to in real life. Niko Bellic, you are the man.

But for all the amazing things developer Rockstar Games has accomplished with GTA IV, we can't help but think of the next installment in the series. How could it be different? More importantly, how could the next GTA game be even better?

Though the first batch of downloadable content will be hitting soon, there’s no word yet on when we can expect the next full game in the GTA franchise, where it will be set, or who will be in the starring role. But that’s just an excuse for us to let our imaginations run wild — and run wild they have. What would really shake up the Grand Theft Auto formula, yet not fix the things that aren't broken? What would open up a broader variety of mission types, and push the idea of walking a moral tightrope even further?

The answer, as it turns out, is simple: In the next Grand Theft Auto, we want to play as a cop.

No, that doesn’t mean writing parking tickets and arresting jaywalkers. But a corrupt-yet-righteous police officer — think hard-nosed, no-rules Vic Mackey in TV’s The Shield — could be the perfect Grand Theft Auto anti-hero, living in a gray area between good and bad where the end always justifies the means.

With that corrupt-cop character in mind, here's our rundown of what Grand Theft Auto could and should offer in its next evolution. You have the right to agree with us...or you have the right to remain silent.

RETURN TO VICE CITY

Instead of something like a Grand Theft Auto: Chicago, we’d love to see Rockstar give Vice City a current-gen makeover and pull it into the present day. It’s sure to be a much darker, grittier place than the pastel-hued ’80s wonderland that Tommy Vercetti ruled in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and a perfect setting for our morally ambiguous cop to shake down dealers and intimidate working girls. Plus, it would be cool to see which of the old landmarks and locales still exist. Lap dance at the Pole Position, anyone?

MORE DRAMA

The story could be kicked off in any number of ways, from an undercover operation gone horribly wrong to a crime lord holding our hero’s family hostage, forcing him to use his police powers for nefarious uses (and deep down, maybe he kind of likes it).

Whatever the case, the next Grand Theft Auto needs to start with a bang and find ways to keep the tempo moving through to the end. In GTA IV we sometimes felt like an actor turning to his director and saying, “What’s my motivation in this scene?”

GOOD COP, BAD COP

Google the phrase “Rampart Scandal” — the real-world inspiration for The Shield — and you’ll see how Rockstar’s love of edgy satire mixed with insane over-the-top violence would mesh perfectly with our corrupt-cop storyline idea. LAPD officers robbing banks, stealing drugs from evidence lockers, planting guns on unarmed suspects, and even perhaps killing one another? This is a gameplay gold mine and you simply can’t make this stuff up.

Playing as a cop in a unit outside of the typical police command structure would give our character interesting freedoms and opportunities, yet also put him in danger of being pursued by Internal Affairs, the feds, or even street-patrol officers in the dark about who he really is. The wanted level isn’t going anywhere.

HOTTER DATES

No, we’re not asking for more Hot Coffee. But the relationship mechanic in GTA IV needs to be reworked — even if Carmen can heal us over the phone, we don’t want to put missions on hold just to take her to Cluck N’ Bell for dinner. Why not turn dates into mini-missions? Maybe Alison’s psycho ex tries to run us off the road in his SUV (bad move, dude), or maybe Melissa won’t be satisfied (or satisfy us) until we’ve nailed a stunt jump with her in our police cruiser.

POWER OF THE BADGE

“I’m not carjacking this vehicle, I’m commandeering it!” During those times when we’re playing as a “legit” cop (as opposed to beating confessions out of snitches or planting evidence stolen from lockup), there could be new gameplay mechanics built around having a superior arsenal and reinforcements at our disposal.

While we’re leery of anything that strays too far from the tried-and-true GTA formula, missions in which we can be on the other side of some dumb sap’s six-star wanted level could and would be immensely satisfying. Dispatch, scramble the choppers!

DON’T TASE ME, BRO

In certain scenarios it would be interesting, maybe even necessary, to have the option to pepper-spray, Taser, or handcuff a foe, instead of just splattering their brains on the wall and calling it a day. Non-lethal combat in a GTA game? Why not?

The flipside could be having full access to cooler, deadlier, police-issue weapons. After all, why risk visiting some seedy back-alley gun shop when — assuming the situation and our current status warrant it — we could drop by the motor pool and sign out a riot van with a full complement of hardware?

MORE COPS, MORE CROOKS

The next GTA needs fewer multiplayer modes that scatter teams hither and yon in pursuit of objectives (we’re looking at you, Car Jack City), and more like Cops N’ Crooks, focusing on the unadulterated thrills and chills of full-on, crosstown chases.

The cop-centric theme could carry even further into multiplayer, with a game type in which a team of cops has to escort a gang leader to prison while his goons work to disable the convoy and free him — ideally with Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” blasting on the radio.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas of your own, or comments on ours? Post 'em below!

+ Add a Comment

big wes

March 28, 2009 at 5:43am

The next GTA needs to be 2 player split screen. And what happened two the planes from san andreas? And they could focus on a more global effect like traveling to different countrys. But I feel that the two player mode co-op would be great!

xXbrIzZ180xX

August 27, 2008 at 1:42pm

Grand Theft Auto, in the FUTURE!!! I don't know how it would be pulled off, but imagine the possiblities Rockstar get out of it! I'm not exactly talking flying cars, but think about it in a Fifth Element/Blade Runner sort of way

clavenglaven

August 11, 2008 at 12:26am

I read this article a few months back and when I did I was spinning with ideas, that I will probably fail to mention them all here. I first off wanna say that GTA IV was amazing, but I think the R* team left a TON of things out that can be implemented into their new gta titles and that will be their strength. I have played all the titles and here is my consensis of what they should bring back that this missed, new things that should be added to the table and things that need to be improved from IV. old games brought to life in the new: 1) the old school gta games were heavily based on your gang rep. All the 3d games sorta had that what with most hated gangs and whatnot. GTA SA had the gang wars and turf which was cool...but I really wanna feel like there is a heavily based gang control, territories, stats of gangs that hate or respect you or fear you. They should even have little missions to get into certain gangs and earn their respect. 2) I think that the cop idea is cool, but all the games more or less implement that, especially GTA IV with francis and niko. I think they should really have you work for the police and be a cop. Have different missions like GTA IV had of getting people through the computer. Really be a firefighter through the computer and save people from burning buildings and operate a hose. Really be a paramedic and get people via life flight, wheel them into the hospital, perform CPR and maybe even do a complicated surgery or stitch someone up. Really be a stunt man and go to arenas and do stunt jumps...something they TOTALLY left out of gta IV. Do some plane maneuvers, car, boat, moto X. I think that the racing can be better with a storyline and without brucie. Also, modding your car would be cool and earning upgrades from races and pink slips. I think that is a better alternative than just simply playing as a good cop bad cop. 3) dating and friends needs to be revamped. More girls to date with their cars to unlock and more of a back story and relationship development. More activities to do and I think that also making friends should be a way to earn their respect (thus letting a boss win at something). I think there should be more games other than bowling, darts and pool. Like playing them in golf or tennis or swimming against them. I think only one of the activities should be used per friend and it checks them off. 4) The new game should continue from the old one. What a way to change things up!? Make it that Niko can't stand Liberty City anymore and moves to Vice City or San Andreas or even home to Europe. A new European city would be sweet. Or even encorporate multiple places like europe in part of the storyline and vice in the next. Maybe have switched characters roles, flashback missions and old characters brought back. Like Clyde (aka gta 3) tommy vercetti or CJ. It would be cool to have the game shift from Niko to the new character to carry on the story and change people. 5) Something that chapped my ass about GTA IV. They really needed to have planes! I thought that was all and out lame. There needs to be cool jets, stunt planes, private jets, cargo planes and huge 747 airliners. How cool would it be to be on a mission and hijack and airliner and land it? 6) Businesses...why was it that there was not a way to build up empires? Totally thought that Roman's cab business was going to be the start of the business chain for Niko. They totally need to bring that back. So, we would have gangs, businesses and cool missions as a paramedic and stuntman. Very cool! They could even have it that the friends you make are in the businesses you run, the gangs you are in, and the street cred you get for stunt work and racing. 7) The hidden packages and cumbersome 100% club. The 100% club could have been much cooler than it was. I slaved to get some pooey certificate that I could print offline! I think it would be cool if it gave a cheat to unlock something cool! Like an extra mission strand or something for x box live that only 100% people get. I also think there should be an in game map with location pictures and descriptions for finding everything in the game for all the 100% achievements. I also thought that for car garages it was lame that you didn't unlock the cars to drive like usual. 8) online play: the game needs serious improvement online. First off...let friends play online in the mission based strand. You know how hard it is to explain to strangers how to get the time in bomb the base? I never can get that stupid achievement! Also, lets make it so you can invite friends and have multi-player at home. This one player thing is a drag. I also think that the characters need to be more customizable online. 9) the character: i liked how i could work out to get buff or get fat by eating too much burger shot. I think that going to the gym could be much more fun and less daunting. Fewer visits with more workouts to do. Maybe sparring with a partner picking up new moves as you go. Track and field. Or he plays sports like hockey, baseball, soccer, football, basketball etc. The clothes in this game drove me nuts too. I really think they should let you look through a list of things to mix and match instead of make you go through all the outfits one by one. San Andreas had that right. I also think they should bring back haircuts and tattoos, that was way cool. I also think it would be sweet to have gambling again of course. 10.) this is the last one I promise. I think that there should be more odd jobs like before and a lot of them are more intuitive and role playing like. Like I aforementioned...being the firefighter. Conducting the train. Being the sharp shooter and ammunation. Robbing houses, stores, banks and casinos. Trucking missions and the quarry were fun. Stuff like that. ok, so that is my lengthy and in depth spiel about what i think could be the ultimate wishlist for the next gta.

WANNA----PETEY

July 28, 2008 at 9:07am

London, Germany, Ierland, all the english foren countrys would be sick! I would like the idea of the better vice city!Hopefullt they change everything about it though... NO BRUCIE!!!!!!!!

ldklein617

July 23, 2008 at 6:19pm

I'd have to say insomniak's suggestions were well thought out, most of the things he's listed would add more panache to the next GTA. I would also like to tell whoever commented my previous comment that the only reason horses would be cool is for rioting purposes and mounted police are found in big cities so it's not only common but essential to a big city police force. I would also like to say the map is essential so the Miami Idea is great but maybe they could even bring back London from the early GTA that was released in 1999. A London version with the RAGE and Euphoria engines would be totally insane!

insomniak

July 22, 2008 at 2:23pm

First of all cheats are gay!!!! lol! I don't use them anyway and im glad you cant get acheivements while using them. Also I love the idea of remaking Vice City and have suggested, as you have, that they revamp the city similar to what they did with Liberty. The cop thing is cool but I think many of your suggestions could possibly just be added to your police computer when you have a cruiser. The best thing you mentioned was the date/minigame thing. I hate arbitrary gameplay so this really appeals to me. But heres a list of things that MUST be in GTA 5 1. Garages (I like parking on the street as well but I think you need both depending on the residence) 2. More Weapons!!!! (only 2 weapons sets??? psssh) 3. Tanks (Dont know why they were excluded but bring them back!!!) 4. Co-op (online is great but without co-op it seems lacking) 5. More vehicles (besides tanks how bout some ATV's, bicycles, roller blades, ski-doos, planes ect.) 6. Parachutes!!! (another thing they stole from me) 7. old characters (instead of just having hidden references to old GTA stars have them as characters in the game that u meet and do mission for.) Im bored so ima stop for now but please feel free to add!

Anonymous Joe

July 22, 2008 at 12:22pm

I think the new gta game should be like a mixture of San Andreas and GTA 4 combined. you know, the sweet gameplay and everything in GTA 4 but with also the Casinos the gyms the anility to buy sweet or horrible safe houses with our money from San Andreas. GTA 4 and San Andreas should be combined to make the best GTA game ever! And 1 thing is for sure GTA 5 needs A LOT of more cheats

eviljester

July 21, 2008 at 3:06pm

the next gta should have an asian guy who has a katana in the beginning of the game already cuz all of the other gta's main characters are everything but asian. how cool would it be to play as an asian guy with a katana. come on that would be awesome.

WANNA----PETEY

July 19, 2008 at 9:21pm

I'm 100% with DROST100 except for the bad idea cop thing, to be a cop might have some getting used to but the guys at rockstar games im sure can make it fun as f***. All i have to say is i want to jump out of planes and go to casinos and also fly jets. But no horses like the guy undernieth me wants. MAKE IT FUN TO PLAY!!!!

ldklein617

July 19, 2008 at 6:46pm

I have always wanted the GTA Developers to design a character that was in the force, I think it's rather fun pretending to be the Police and chasing down cars, what could be better than being a detective and being able to get into an unmarked car and arresting criminals in GTA. I also believe there should be more vehicles, such as a Police Motorcycle or a Horse for Mounted police. It's and Idea but the developers can pull these kind of things off. Hope we will see things like this happen!!

darx1d3

December 09, 2010 at 10:24am

no.

delly66

July 17, 2008 at 6:23pm

i would have wanted a lot more customization, like in san andreas. have the good cop nice and clean cut, or have your bad cop persona along with tats, and scars. or go under cover and make yourself look like crap so you wont look suspicious to the other gang members and drug dealing scum.i think an almost splinter cell double agent thing would be cool, although maybe a cliche if not done right. could be great, or...not so much.

Drost100

July 17, 2008 at 8:05am

What a terrible idea! My idea of fun is running around killing cops and loosing stars (not to be a PIG). NY city was fun but not enough to do. What happend to the jet pack and planes and jets and parachutes and casinos and some hot coffe and 4-wheelers. Bring that shit back! (Who wants to play darts and bowl and go to shows THAT SUCKs!) Also GTA should make it like Saints Row CREATE our own player!

Anonymous Joe

July 17, 2008 at 8:04am

I think they should bring back brucie, you cant forget the ALPHA man. Yeah being a cop would be really cool but thats already a game, theres 2 actually. True crime streets of L.A and True crime NY. I like being a crook and a gangster in GTA and that shouldnt change, if you want to be a cop just make another True Crime. GTA 5 should go backn in vice city, those are great ideas, i just want to stay in the crime side of life in GTA for now.

McFool

July 17, 2008 at 5:42am

I like everything except the locale. Vice City's been done and done. Oh and Brucie and Manny are some of the most annoying characters ever. I got my wish for what would happen to one of them.

WANNA----PETEY

July 17, 2008 at 12:49am

Come-on! Vice city has been used twice now, i think a totaly new name and map is what you guys should do. And aslo, NO BRUCIE!!!!!!!

Mogunz

July 16, 2008 at 10:30pm

I like it even though its like crimes of new york and stuff i would like to be on the other side instead of getitng blasted by a helicopter for once. Bring back Brucie!

Master Devwi

July 16, 2008 at 8:35pm

Wow, that sounds very cool! Great idea!

Above the Law