Game Introductions

This article refers to the first mission of a GTA game.

Since GTA III, the first mission is the introduction to the game which begins as soon as a new game is started - a cutscene introduces the main characters, and may set up the game's storyline. After the cutscene, the player takes control of the protagonist, and is introduced to gameplay with tutorial consisting of a very basic set of targets, such as enter a vehicle and drive to the first safehouse.

In contrast, the player has immediate control in GTA 1 and GTA 2, and is free to explore the city. They can then active any available mission or sub-mission in the normal way - by entering a marker.

Introductory Missions

These are the compulsory first missions which begin at the start of the game since GTA III.

Introductory missions are not always titled. The appearance of mission names can occur partway through the compulsory introductory mission, which can lead to confusion and inaccurate naming of the missions.

GTA III: Untitled cutscenes cover the bank robbery that Claude and Catalina committed, Catalina's double crossing, Claude's arrest, Claude's and 8-Ball's escape from a police convoy, and the destruction of Callahan Bridge. The cutscenes are followed by "Give Me Liberty", although the code reveals the title of "In The Beginning...".
GTA Vice City: "In The Beginning", covering an informal meeting at Saint Mark's Bistro where Sonny Forelli discusses dispatching Tommy Vercetti to Vice City, as well as the botched deal that followed, Tommy's arrival at the Ocean View Hotel and the phone conversation between Tommy and Sonny in the hotel.
GTA San Andreas: Untitled mission, depicting Carl Johnson's departure from Liberty City, arrival in Los Santos, detention by C.R.A.S.H., abandonment in Ballas territory and Carl's eventual return to his old home. The cutscenes and mission are followed by "Big Smoke".
GTA Advance: "Jump Start", depicting Mike's and Vinnie's intentions to complete one more job before they have enough money to leave Liberty City. The mission has Mike driving Vinnie to a meeting and returning to their hideout to await further instructions.
GTA Liberty City Stories: Untitled cutscenes, depicting Toni Cipriani's arrival in Chinatown, his meeting with Salvatore Leone, and revelation that his position in the ranks has been given away to Vincenzo Cilli. The cutscenes are followed by "Home Sweet Home".
GTA Vice City Stories: "Soldier", covering Victor Vance's first order from Sgt Jerry Martinez upon arriving at Fort Baxter to obtain and stash some drugs from a local drug dealer.
GTA IV: "The Cousins Bellic", depicting Niko Bellic's arrival to Liberty City in a ship, Niko's reunion with Roman Bellic, and their arrival at Roman's apartment.
- The Lost and Damned: "Clean and Serene", depicting The Lost biker gang riding to a hospital in north Alderney to pick up Billy Grey, as well as the retrieval of Billy's bike.
GTA Chinatown Wars: "Yu Jian", showing Huang Lee's arrival in Liberty City, the ambush which see him trapped in a car trunk that is dumped into a river, and his escape and meeting with Wu Lee. This msision also includes basic training for the use of the dual screen.