Key Takeaways
1. Fans of Grand Theft Auto VI may find more enjoyment in the classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City than in newer remasters, with some enthusiasts creating an HTML5 port for web browsers.
2. Access to the HTML5 version requires players to verify ownership of the original game, limiting non-owners from playing the story due to upload verification and checksum validation.
3. The HTML5 port features modern enhancements including support for various resolutions, gamepad and touch controls, and cloud saves for users with the appropriate key.
4. The author reflects on personal testing of the HTML5 version, highlighting nostalgia for previous ports and the excitement of Grand Theft Auto’s transition to mobile platforms.
5. The project is fan-made and operates in a legal gray area, claiming compliance with copyright laws while using publicly available open-source code, leaving its future uncertain regarding Rockstar Games’ stance.
The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI has been really hard on fans, but those looking to revisit Vice City might find more joy in playing the classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City instead of the newer remasters. Some enthusiasts have even taken the initiative to port the game to web browsers that support HTML5. A demo version of this HTML5 project can be played over at DOS Zone, but to get full access, players must confirm they own the original version and upload a file to verify it. This process is similar to the open-sourced reVC project, which also requires proof of ownership before you can build it.
Limitations for Non-Owners
For those who do not have the complete game, this presents a significant limitation. The story cannot be played at all without the original game files, as the first checkpoint at Hotel Ocean View will immediately prompt an upload verification. Additionally, the uploaded file must pass a checksum validation, which means that any pirated versions of the game will not work.
Modern Features of the HTML5 Port
This HTML5 version of Vice City is based on the open-source iteration of the game (which also inspired the unofficial Switch port) and is filled with contemporary features. It supports all resolutions, gamepad controls, touch controls, and even offers cloud saves if you possess the necessary js-dos key. It’s an impressive feat of porting, and the developers note that it’s a demo “provided for educational and research purposes only, to showcase the technical capabilities of running complex game engines in a modern web environment.”
Personal Testing and Nostalgia
In my experience with the HTML version of Vice City, it does indeed meet expectations, although I struggled to get my controller functioning on my desktop. Still, it brings back memories of the excitement surrounding the porting of Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City to Android devices in December 2011 and December 2012, respectively. It even evokes some nostalgia for Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, which was the first fully-3D portable Grand Theft Auto game launched for PlayStation Portable in October 2005.
Legal Considerations
However, unlike those official ports made for (at the time) lower-end devices, this project stands out. It is specifically designed for modern platforms and can run effectively on nearly any recent smartphone or desktop browser. This is a fan-made endeavor that may tread on shaky legal grounds. A specific “Copyright Compliance” section on the webpage asserts that the title is constructed solely from publicly available open-source code and complies with copyright laws while respecting the intellectual property rights of all holders. Nevertheless, only time will reveal whether Rockstar Games will permit its existence.
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