These are the Dundee references in the Grand Theft Auto series

When most people think of Grand Theft Auto (GTA), they picture sprawling fictional cities, fast cars, and chaotic missions.

But what many outwith Dundee and Scotland might not realise is that one of the world’s biggest video game franchises was born right here in Dundee - and the city’s influence can still be seen across the series today.

The original GTA was created in Dundee by DMA Design (later Rockstar North) in the late 1990s, long before the studio relocated to Edinburgh.

Grand Theft Auto (1997)

Early versions of the game even contained nods to the city that inspired its developers.

Within the game’s map, there’s a neighbourhood called Ardler — a direct reference to Dundee’s Ardler area, once home to the famous Ardler multis.

Liberty City is home to neighbourhoods named after Dundee neighbourhoods. (Picture: DMA Design)

There are also locations named Fort Law and Law Island, clear homages to the city’s iconic Dundee Law.

What’s even more remarkable is that, even after moving operations to Edinburgh, Rockstar North has never forgotten Dundee. Throughout the Grand Theft Auto series, subtle references and tributes to the city continue to appear.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, released in 2002, Rockstar paid homage to Dundee by featuring the RRS Discovery — the city’s historic Antarctic exploration ship — on a billboard within the game.

Dundee is advertised in Vice City? Could we see a modern version of this billboard in GTA VI? (Picture: Rockstar North)

Sharp-eared players might also notice the radio station Wave 103, whose name nods to Dundee’s own Wave FM (known as Wave 102 at the time of Vice City’s release).

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

The references don’t stop there.

Let’s Go to Dundee!!! (Picture: Rockstar North)

In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, players can spot a billboard advertising a fictional album titled “Let’s Go to Dundee!!!”, a fun shoutout to the city where it all started.

Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, also includes a subtle Dundee link.

The Sundae Post is a fast food restaurant named after a Dundee-printed newspaper. (Picture: Rockstar North)

In the game, there’s a restaurant called “The Sundae Post,” a playful twist on The Sunday Post — the much-loved Scottish newspaper published by DC Thomson right here in Dundee.

Grand Theft Auto VI? (2026)

Even Grand Theft Auto VI, which hasn’t yet been released, seems to be continuing the tradition. Recent footage shows one of the main characters, Jason Duvall, wearing yellow and black sunglasses.

Could Jason be rocking Sunny Dundee shades? (Picture: Rockstar North)

While unlikely to be a direct influence, the design bears a striking resemblance to the “Sunny Dundee” glasses — made popular in 2018 through a Dundee tourism campaign (and later revived by Dundee Culture in 2023 for its 10th anniversary 😉) — could this be a subtle nod to the city’s spirit?

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The connection between Dundee and Grand Theft Auto goes beyond in-game references. The global success of GTA helped put Dundee on the map as a video games powerhouse. Even after Rockstar North moved on, the city’s games industry continued to thrive.

New studios, like 4J Studios — best known for creating the console versions of Minecraft — emerged from this legacy, continuing Dundee’s tradition of gaming innovation and excellence.

From Ardler to the Sunny Dundee shades, the spirit of Dundee continues to leave its mark on one of gaming’s greatest success stories.