United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the setting for Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1961. The city of London, England is the centerpiece of those two video games while Manchester appears solely in GTA London 1961.

The Grand Theft Auto games are developed in the United Kingdom, more specifically in Scotland, where Rockstar North is based. The games are first shipped to the United States of America and Canada, before they are made available in the UK and the remainder of continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the world.

The UK is currently home to four Rockstar studios:

The United Kingdom is also home to the BBFC rating system.

Known locations

The events of both games take place in London while Manchester appears as an added bonus level in GTA London 1961.
Missile technology is stolen from the British government by Hans Nemesis. He is followed by Endeavour Chambers but the protagonist foils is plans.

Leith and London are listed as destinations on the Francis International Airport website.

The Grand Theft Auto: Vice City website suggests that the Washington is imported from the United Kingdom.

The Introduction shows Kent Paul and Maccer in a recording studio in the UK talking about going to the United States.

The Pilgrim's Pantry themed restaurant fled the United Kingdom for being 'too liberal' before moving to the United States.

Niko Bellic's CV in the mission Final Interview states he attended Bulford Academy in the United Kingdom.
Horatio Humboldt, a British explorer, sailed into the coincidentally named Humboldt River on September 4, 1609.
British armed warships arrived in New Rotterdam on August 27, 1664 and began ruling the area, renaming it Liberty City. The British were later forced out of the city by American and French troops.
Broker is named after Sir William Broker III, the bastard son of the British king.

Tbe British animation industry is described as attempting to take over from the American animation industry with the film The Loneliest Robot.

The character Lord Lucan in GTA London 1969 and GTA London 1961 is a reference to John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan who is popularly known as Lord Lucan. The last known sighting of Lord Lucan was on November 8, 1974. The characters only mission appearance sees him getting plastic surgery, which is a reference to the disappearance of John Bingham.
The Sex Club Seven business is a reference to the British music band S Club 7.

The Hippy Shopper businesss is a reference to the British Happy Shopper convenience products.
The Little Gorbachefs restaurant in GTA IV is a reference to the British roadside restaurant chain Little Chef.
The Fud detergent advertised in GTA IV is a reference to Daz, a detergent sold in the United Kingdom.

Expressway signs in GTA III and GTA Vice City and highway signs in GTA San Andreas are based on signs in the United Kingdom.
The mission Auf Wiedersehen Petrovic in GTA IV is a reference to the British comedy/drama television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
The Hampshire Nannies business references the Hampshire county in the United Kingdom.
The Hawick neighbourhood in GTA V is a reference to Hawick, a town in Scotland.

March 2, 2005: Advertisements for GTA IV are banned from airing before the watershed (9pm) in the United Kingdom.
November 7, 2008: 18 year old Ryan Chinnery is convicted on charges of attempted rape and grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to eight years in prison with a minimum of four years in prison recommended. GTA games were said to have influenced his actions. In 2009 the minimum recommened time in prison was reduced to three years.