Regarding the gentler introductions of older GTAs, Benzies observed that "I think it was the right strategy for stories we wanted to tell at the time, but not this time. Today, we want to surprise people with very intense missions from the start. The pace of the game is much faster than any of its predecessors.
"From the beginning, we want to show off the new game mechanics while creating intense, action-packed gameplay, to capture the player's attention immediately. Remember that the three characters in the game are already living in the city of Los Santos and surrounding areas. They are not newcomers like Niko and Tommy Vercetti, or people returning after a long absence like CJ.
"They already have contacts, they are integrated with the world and lead a busy life - these characteristics should give players a sense of immediate and total immersion."
That said, all three main characters won't be playable from the off. "We want to give the player the opportunity to get to know the three characters individually, and explore the world as each of them, and it would not have been possible if all three had been available from the start."
