Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a critically acclaimed action-adventure video game series created by David Jones and Mike Dailly, primarily developed by Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design) and published by Rockstar Games, with later titles overseen by Dan and Sam Houser. The games feature open-world gameplay centered on driving and shooting, set in fictional cities like Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas—which are modeled after real-life locations—and span various time periods from the 1960s to the 2010s. The series began in 1997, but the 2001 release of Grand Theft Auto III was a landmark moment, introducing a 3D environment and heavily influencing the open-world genre. With nearly 470 million units shipped, it is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, and in 2006 it was featured in a British design icons list, while in 2013 it was ranked among Britain's most successful exports. Despite its commercial and critical success, the series has been controversial for its adult themes and violence, yet it remains one of the highest-grossing media franchises in history.