Heist Your Way into the Future: The Rise of Grand Theft Auto-Inspired Games in 2023

In recent years, heist movies have garnered immense popularity, emerging as a coveted sub-genre. The trend was initiated by Ocean's 11 in the early 2000s, and since then, heist-based movies have only gained momentum. These movies are now so popular that they have inspired parodies such as Rick and Morty's "One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty" episode. The gaming industry has also been quick to catch up on this trend, with Grand Theft Auto leading the charge. The franchise has always been influenced by iconic crime and heist movies, but it wasn't until Grand Theft Auto 5 that heists took center stage, offering players the ability to assemble their own crew, assign roles, and engage in cinematic getaways, thereby changing the game. In 2023, several games have been inspired by Grand Theft Auto 5's success and are looking to follow in its footsteps.

Both Xbox and PlayStation Have GTA-Like Heist Games in the Works

In 2023, heist games seem to be a popular genre, with many titles taking inspiration from the Grand Theft Auto series. One such game, Crime Boss: Rockay City, was released earlier this year, but failed to impress critics despite its star-studded cast. However, the game did manage to satisfy the cravings of some fans who were eagerly awaiting the release of Payday 3, the highly anticipated sequel to Payday 2. While GTA 5 revolutionized the heist genre with its large-scale, cinematic heists, Payday 2 made a name for itself with its smaller-scale heists, such as robbing jewelry stores, stealing classified documents, and breaking into banks. After a decade of waiting, Payday 3 has finally been given a release date of September 21, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

Payday 3 has been announced as a sequel to its predecessor, featuring intense 4-player co-op heisting action set in New York City. The game promises a plethora of new gadgets, abilities, and weapons for players to unlock. Despite similarities to its predecessor, it is still a highly anticipated game for those interested in the heist genre. Additionally, fans of heist games can look forward to Fairgames, a new IP from Haven Studios, which draws inspiration from Payday and Grand Theft Auto. In Fairgames, players must work together to pull off a successful heist, but with the added challenge of competing against other groups after the same loot.

Fairgames is a fresh take on heist games, introducing a competitive element that sets it apart from classics like Payday and GTA. With a bold twist inspired by Escape From Tarkov, multiple teams of heisters will vie for supremacy. Although a release date for Fairgames has not been confirmed yet, its announcement has already made 2023 the year of heist games, drawing undeniable inspiration from the Grand Theft Auto franchise.