In 2001, Grand Theft Auto III singlehandedly revolutionized the video game world. The game became a worldwide sensation, influencing countless video games with its groundbreaking open world and enthralling criminal narrative. As innovative as GTA III was, it wasn't the first game to utilize many of the features it would later popularize. 1999's Driver had a tremendous impact on Grand Theft Auto III and laid the groundwork for future open-world titles.

Driver tells the story of an ex-racecar driver turned NYPD detective named John Tanner, who goes undercover as a wheelman to infiltrate a dangerous criminal organization. Tanner must prove himself worthy of working for the organization by completing various driving missions across the United States.

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GTA III might have popularized open-world games, but it wasn't the first title to feature an expansive open environment. Driver was one of the first games to have an elaborate 3-D open world that mimicked real cities. While many of the missions were liner experiences, the game had a “take a drive” mode that allowed players to roam the bustling streets of four U.S. metropolises. This was a huge step forward for open-world games and helped pave the way for future GTA titles.

A year after the original Driver debuted, a sequel released, expanding its open-world and implementing innovative new features. Driver II allowed players to get out of their car and hijack other vehicles, giving players more freedom than ever before. While GTA had already been doing this for years, it was still stuck in a top-down, 2D environment. Although Driver II's on-foot free-roaming is extremely basic and dated by today's standards, it was extremely impressive for the time. Grand Theft Auto III drastically improved the feature a year later, but the fact Driver II pulled off such a feat on PS1 hardware is incredible.

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Unfortunately, Driver would fall under Grand Theft Auto's shadow after the third installment released in 2001. The series started replicating the GTA experience instead of continuing with its original premise. Instead of relying on high-octane driving mechanics and hectic police chases, the Driver series started adding gun battles and GTA-style missions. This caused many fans to jump ship to GTA since Driver began feeling like a generic clone.

After a slew of sub-par titles, the Driver series became stagnant after Driver: San Francisco released in 2011. A mobile game, Driver: Speedboat Paradise, debuted in 2015, but most fans consider it a spinoff title instead of a new entry. Regardless, Driver's influence on GTA III is too apparent to ignore. The chaotic driving series will always be remembered for helping establish the foundation of one of the most successful video game franchises of all time.

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