and Theft Auto V is an open world action- adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 17 September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. It is the fifteenth title in the Grand Theft Auto series, and the first main entry since Grand Theft Auto IV was released in 2008. As one of the last titles to release exclusively during the seventh generation of video game consoles, Grand Theft Auto V was highly anticipated preceding its release.[8] Grand Theft Auto V is played in third-person and combines driving and action gameplay in an open world environment, allowing the player to interact with the game world at their leisure. The game is set within the fictional state of San Andreas, which is based on Southern California, affording the player free roam over the world's countryside and the fictional city of Los Santos, which is based on Los Angeles. The single-player story is told through three player- controlled protagonists whom the player switches between—Michael, Trevor and Franklin—and the story follows their efforts to plan and execute six large heists to accrue wealth for themselves. An online multiplayer mode is included, allowing up to sixteen players to engage in both co-operative and competitive gameplay in a recreation of the single- player setting. The developers envisioned Grand Theft Auto V as a spiritual successor to many of their previous projects, such as Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3. Development began shortly following the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, with a focus on innovating the core mechanic of the series by giving the player control of three protagonists. Upon release, the game was acclaimed by many reviewers who praised its story, presentation and open-ended gameplay. A commercial success, Grand Theft Auto V broke industry sales records by earning US $800 million in the first 24 hours of its release, which are around 13 million copies. Gameplay Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure video game played from a third- person perspective in an open world environment. The player uses melee attacks, firearms, weapons and explosives to fight enemies, and can run, jump, swim, or use vehicles to navigate the game's world. In combat, auto aim and a cover system can be used as assistance against enemies.[9] A perpetual objective for the player is to complete missions to progress through the story, but much like other open world games, these missions can be completed at the player's leisure. If the player commits illegal acts while playing, the game's law enforcement agencies may respond, which is represented by a "Wanted" meter in the head-up display (HUD). Should the player continue to commit crimes, the meter accumulates stars and the efforts by law enforcement to incapacitate the player become more aggressive. The meter recedes should the player escape the search area in which they are wanted, which is displayed on the mini-map.[10] The single-player mode of Grand Theft Auto V is played through three player- controlled protagonists— Michael, Trevor and Franklin —criminals whose stories interconnect as they complete missions. While interacting with the game world, the player may switch between them at will, by means of a directional compass on the HUD; Franklin corresponds to the north point, Michael to the west, Trevor to the east and the player's multiplayer avatar to the south. During missions, the game may switch the player's character automatically as necessary in order to complete certain objectives. A character's avatar will flash red if they are in danger and need assistance either manually or through covering fire from another, and flash white if that character has a strategical advantage or position which may aid the player's success in the mission.[11] Though the player can complete missions as any of the three protagonists, some of the game's more difficult missions may require aid from AI-controlled accomplices who have unique skill sets such as computer hacking or driving, and they will take a cut from the mission's cash reward upon completion.[12] If an accomplice survives a successful mission, they may be re-used in later missions albeit with improvements to their unique skills.[13] Employing different strategies toward the completion of a mission is also encouraged by the game; for example, in a holdup mission the player may subdue civilians with an agent if stealth is favoured, or storm the venue with guns drawn.[14] Each character has a set of eight skills, which are numerical representations of their ability in certain areas, such as shooting and driving. While the player improves the skills of each character as they play, there is a skill assigned to each character that they have expertise in by default, such as Trevor's skill as a pilot. [15] In addition, the eighth "special" skill determines the effectiveness in performing an ability that is unique to each respective character. Michael will enter bullet time in combat, Franklin will slow down time while driving, and Trevor will deal twice as much damage to enemies while taking half as much in combat.[16] There is a meter on each character's HUD which depletes when an ability is being used and gradually regenerates over time when the ability is not being used. [17] In Grand Theft Auto V,