On the 9th of February, 2003, hope for all fans was born. Multi Theft Auto. I quote from the History Page on the official MTA site:

9 February 2003

"While looking for a good trainer for his favourite game, GTA3, IJs comes across the GTA3 Admin Console. As the trainer is opensource, he downloads the source code instead and finds a few very interesting memory addresses that control the vehicle positioning in the game. He decides to synchronize these addresses over the internet with some primitive netcode, and the first GTA3 multiplayer hack was born.
News spreads fast and to prove to the world this was not another hoax, he publically releases his application as "GTA3:AM", GTA3: Alternative Multiplayer. This became the first version of GTA3:MTA."



Since that day MTA has grown enormously. Currently two versions are released; MTA 0.5 which supports both GTA III and GTA: Vice City. MTA 0.5 is built on the old MTA 'core'. Lets name it the platform where every piece of multiplayer is built upon and hooks into the game.
Then there is also MTA:SA Race, where the latest released version is 1.1.1.
MTA:SA Race is built upon the 'Blue Core'. The BC is the revolutionary new core which the MTA team has developed, this core provides a shipload of new features and stability, on which I will come back later.
The 'Race' after MTA:SA means that the current released version is Racing in San Andreas only. More on this later too.





Multi Theft Auto 0.5 is the latest release on the old core, as I mentioned earlier. This means that it is unfortunately quite instable at moments and it still hasnt got good 'synchronisation'. In other words, a lot of lag pops up and other people dont move properly. However, it is a lot of fun to play and somewhat a must-have for any III and VC owners.
MTA 0.5 hooks into the game through an old method, which is scm hooking if I remember correctly, dont blame me for the following it if I get it wrong :P
The main.scm file in III and VC originally provides all the mission information for the game, but MTA lets the game load another SCM file, which provides the multiplayer information. It is something the blue core doesnt. The new versions of MTA just starts the GTA executable and let it load all of their own files. It's something which should be very more stable and opens a lot of new possibilities, oh darn, I promised to be telling about that later, lol!
MTA VC offers pure deathmatch, featuring 6 classes, to be known as:
- Cops - Spawns at a cop station.
- Mexicans - Spawns at the airport terminal.
- Robbers - Spawns at Phils Place.
- Vice City Crusader - Spawns at a random location.
- Secret Service - Spawns under a shelter.
- Sailors - Spawns at the docks.
- Spectator - This mode is used to simply watch other players, you don't spawn anywhere.
MTA 0.5 also features a Stunt Mode, but this is not anywhere near the popularity of Deathmatch. It does not have heavy mod capability, but theres some basic modding that can be done through the use of mIRC MTA:mA scripting. Everything on this can be found here: http://wiki.mtasa.com/index.php?title=MTA:mA
A lot of clans have been formed in MTA: VC and they organize serious clanwars. In a nutshell: each clan picks a base and defends it. The clanwars are more complicated than that, but I cannot be bothered to tell you all about it. Read more on the official MTA Forums, they have a Clan Section.






MTA:SA Race is, as I mentioned, the first release built on the Blue Core.
Quote from the original MTA Wiki:
"Blue loads a DLL with the game instead of injecting code into its memory process. This improves stability and means that custom SCM files do not have to be moved to the game's directory when it is started."

"Modification support through C++ means that complex game modes can be created, unlike the rudimentary ones possible with MTA:mA at the moment. "

"The advanced nature of the Blue core has allowed them to place a sophisticated WYSIWYG editor into MTA:SA for adding checkpoints, spawn points and power-ups. It also allows users to place extra models into the game such as ramps, roads, trees and exploding barrels."



These 3 points give a real good description of what the (pretty nearby) future releases of MTA:SA and possibly VC and III will offer.
Add in your mind that lag will be reduced and there will be (and already is, in Race) ingame fully integrated user interfaces and server browsers.
The next release of MTA:SA will also feature deathmatch, and Lua scripting, the Lua scripting is not the moddability which I was talking about before. Lua scripting lets you create basic game modes and such. It also lets you handle custom models for every vehicle in the game. Right now the MTA and their QA (Quality and Assurance, -Beta Testing Team- ) team give out tutorials regulary, to learn people how to use the lua scripting.
Lua scripting is different from the moddability I wrote about before, the thing I was talking about before is a real SDK (Software Development Kit).
That feature is still in development, but it should make you able to create total conversions and heavy mods, allowing you to, for instance, let trains ride in the city automatically etc. etc. Perhaps it will even be possible to add some NPC's, they are removed right now, because it will cause too much bandwitdh, and make it unable to play for everyone.



Alltogether, MTA is a very fun modification to play. It's actually pretty cool if you think about it, it's a modification for a game, allowing you to add your own modifications in the very near future. Customized player and car models, modified textures, your very own game modes, all online in one of the best games ever. It's almost too good to be true. Anyone who wants to check it out get your ass to: www.multitheftauto.com
Official forums: http://forum.mtavc.com/
Official Wiki: http://wiki.mtasa.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
(A little outdated!) Information on the Blue Core: http://www.mtablue.info/
IRC: http://www.multitheftauto.com/irc.html
LUA Scripting Tutorials: http://www.multitheftauto.com/scripting.html
Official Video's (Check this out!) http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MTAQA

I hope I can get an interview with one of the developers soon, once I get it I sure will let you all know.
-xGj

[back]