A new documentary recently revealed that Grand Theft Auto 3 was almost an Xbox exclusive, but Microsoft rejected the pitch from Rockstar Games. Although Xbox did just fine without having Grand Theft Auto 3 at launch, it certainly would've had a unique effect on the industry. In the years since, Rockstar has had a close working relationship with PlayStation, opening the door to lucrative deals and dibs on massive announcements.
It's no secret that GTA 3 really changed the gaming industry. Large-scale open-world titles in 3D were finally possible and it introduced a level of freedom that no one had experienced in a game before. As such an influential title, the Grand Theft Auto trilogy ended up being one of the defining titles for the PlayStation 2. All three games in the trilogy did eventually come to the original Xbox, but usually months or even years after the initial release on PS2. However, spin-off games like Vice City Stories have never left the PlayStation ecosystem.
It wasn't always that way, though. In a new documentary about the history of Xbox (via Ben Turpin), it was revealed that Rockstar pitched Microsoft Grand Theft Auto 3 as an original Xbox exclusive while the platform holder was searching for third-party developers to pad out its line-up. Microsoft rejected the concept as it didn't believe Rockstar could take the series from 2D to 3D and didn't think the previous titles were successful enough.
Microsoft went on to famously rectify this mistake with Grand Theft Auto 4. During its E3 2006 press conference, the then-head of Xbox Peter Moore revealed Grand Theft Auto 4 would debut on Xbox 360 on day one via a tattoo on his arm. They also confirmed the game's two expansion packs would have timed exclusivity on Xbox. It was a pretty historic move at the time and helped cement the Xbox 360 as a key platform for gamers.
Even recently, Microsoft was able to get GTA: San Andreas on Xbox Game Pass on day one. PlayStation was able to nab GTA 3 for PlayStation Now, but only a month after its initial release. Rockstar has managed to create a solid relationship between both platform holders but definitely seems to favor PlayStation over Xbox. Rockstar has revealed and shown footage of both of its Grand Theft Auto 5 remasters during PlayStation events and has promised exclusive benefits for playing the game on Sony's platforms. At one point, Rockstar was even going to make an exclusive title for PlayStation 3, but it failed to materialize.
Source: Ben Turpin/Twitter