AHEAD OF TIME.....

The time period between 2000 and 2010 was truly amazing and wholesome, especially for those born between 1990 and 2005. These were the best days for gaming, as the world was progressing, and most households had a PC. Having a PC meant access to entertainment, and if you had one at home but never heard of Tommy Vercetti or Claude, what kind of childhood did you even have?

The 2000s saw the rise of thousands of iconic games as computers became more advanced and capable of handling heavier workloads. This caught the attention of developers, leading to the creation of legendary titles. Games like Project IGI, the GTA series, the Far Cry series, Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, Counter-Strike, and many more became pure nostalgia for teens of that era.

The Impact of Games and Movies

As far as I remember, GTA was the most iconic game, alongside the legendary Call of Duty series. These games weren’t just fun—they were groundbreaking. What’s even more amazing is how they overcame countless development challenges to become the classics we know today. Back in the early 2000s, making open-world and realistic shooters wasn’t easy, but somehow, the developers pulled it off.

Movies also played a huge role in shaping video games. Scarface (1983) heavily influenced GTA: Vice City, from its neon-soaked Miami setting to the mansion shootout at the end. Meanwhile, Black Hawk Down (2001) set the tone for military shooters like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, giving players a taste of cinematic warfare where every bullet counted.

The Evolution of Technology and Esports

As technology evolved from simple computers to powerful multitasking machines, gaming became a mass phenomenon. With the rise of broadband internet, online gaming took off—letting players battle it out in real time, no matter where they were. This brings me to esports, a revolution that turned gaming into a professional sport.

The first major Esports game of the 2000s? Counter-Strike. Originally a Half-Life mod, Counter-Strike 1.0 officially launched in 2000, and by the time CS 1.6 arrived in 2003, it had already become a global sensation. This 5v5 tactical shooter was pure skill—no aim assist, no second chances, just raw talent. Matches were so intense that players would hold their breath during clutch moments, and the competitive scene kept growing year after year. Counter-Strike was the first major step into modern esports, and even today, its legacy echoes whenever esports history is discussed.

Do you have a favorite game from that period? well i do; i still admired the GTA series so lets talk about it:

GTA: Vice City Stories (1984) – The Rise and Fall of Victor Vance

The story begins in 1984 with GTA: Vice City Stories, where Victor Vance, a disciplined soldier, is wrongfully discharged from the military due to false allegations. Left with no options, he turns to the criminal underworld to support his family. With the help of his younger brother Lance, Victor rises to power in Vice City, establishing a formidable drug empire. However, his success is short-lived. During a drug deal meant to secure his future, he is ambushed and killed—an event that sets the stage for the next chapter.

GTA: Vice City (1986) – Tommy Vercetti Takes Over

Following Victor Vance’s death, GTA: Vice City begins in 1986 with Tommy Vercetti, a hitman for the Forelli family, arriving in Vice City to oversee a drug deal organized by lawyer Ken Rosenberg. However, the deal is ambushed by men working for Ricardo Diaz, leaving Tommy empty-handed. Forced to recover the lost money and drugs, Tommy slowly carves out his own empire, eventually uncovering Diaz’s involvement. Seeking vengeance, he teams up with Lance Vance to take down Diaz and claim Vice City for himself. However, power breeds betrayal—Lance ultimately sides with the Forelli family in an attempt to overthrow Tommy. But Tommy, being the ruthless strategist he is, eliminates Lance and the Forellis, cementing himself as the undisputed kingpin of Vice City, with Ken Rosenberg at his side.

GTA: San Andreas (1992) – The Return of CJ and the Fall of Tenpenny

The timeline then jumps to 1992 in GTA: San Andreas, where Carl “CJ” Johnson returns home to Los Santos after years in Liberty City. His mother has been murdered, his gang—the Grove Street Families—is in decline, and corrupt officer Frank Tenpenny runs the city with an iron grip. CJ’s return is met with betrayal as his childhood friends, Big Smoke and Ryder, have allied themselves with Tenpenny, selling out Grove Street for power and money. After Sweet, CJ’s brother, is arrested, CJ is forced to flee Los Santos. He ventures to San Fierro, where he dismantles the drug cartel responsible for Grove Street’s downfall, and later to Las Venturas, where he gains influence working with Ken Rosenberg, who is now managing operations for the Leone Mafia from Liberty City. CJ eventually returns to Los Santos, bringing down Big Smoke and Tenpenny, restoring Grove Street to its former glory.

GTA: Liberty City Stories (1998) – The Rise of Salvatore Leone

Fast-forward to 1998 with GTA: Liberty City Stories, where Toni Cipriani, a loyal hitman, helps the Leone family solidify their dominance in Liberty City. Under Toni’s efforts, Salvatore Leone eliminates rival factions, including the weakened Forelli family, and becomes the most powerful crime lord in the city. However, his reign would eventually attract new enemies, setting the stage for events in GTA 3.

GTA 3 (2001) – Claude’s Revenge and the End of an Era

The final chapter of the 3D Universe unfolds in GTA 3 (2001), where Claude, a silent but deadly criminal, is betrayed by his girlfriend Catalina during a bank heist. Left for dead, he survives and finds work in Liberty City’s underworld, eventually working under Salvatore Leone. However, after being double-crossed by Salvatore, Claude joins forces with new crime syndicates, seeking revenge. His path leads him back to Catalina, whom he ultimately kills in a dramatic helicopter explosion, securing his place in Liberty City’s criminal hierarchy.