Grand Theft Auto: 3 Open Source Clones Compared
Carnage3D adds local split-screen multiplayer for up to 4 players — not present in the original GTA1 — and offers both native Windows/Linux builds and a browser-playable WebAssembly build, though that web build doesn't work in Microsoft Edge; it's still described as being at a very early stage and is currently unplayable. OpenGTA's released binary is limited to a city viewer with basic player movement and shooting graphics rather than a full game, and its development has since halted. gta1_re is also under active development but its documentation gives no further detail on its current scope.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Linux, Web, Windows
- Play in browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 1mo ago
- Stars
- 561
- Contributors
- 5
- License
- MIT
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires GTA1 game data resources; demo version available for download.
- Multiplayer
- Local
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 5y ago
- Stars
- 43
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- —
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires GTA 1 data files (*.FXT, *.FON, *.CMP, STYLE*.GRY or STYLE*.G24) from original game.
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 2mo ago
- Stars
- 10
- Contributors
- 2
- License
- —
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Carnage3D | OpenGTA | gta1_re |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Unplayable | Unplayable | Unplayable |
| Platforms | Linux, Web, Windows | Windows, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Play in browser | No | No | |
| Mobile | No | No | No |
| Project health | |||
| Development status | Active | Halted | Active |
| Last updated | 1mo ago | 5y ago | 2mo ago |
| Stars | 561 | 43 | 10 |
| Contributors | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| License | MIT | — | — |
| Engine | — | SDL2 | — |
| Compatibility | |||
| Requires original assets | YesRequires GTA1 game data resources; demo version available for download. | YesRequires GTA 1 data files (*.FXT, *.FON, *.CMP, STYLE*.GRY or STYLE*.G24) from original game. | — |
| Multiplayer | Local | — | — |
| Preview | | |
Known limitations
- compatibility: WebGL version will not work in Microsoft Edge.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Grand Theft Auto clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Grand Theft Auto clones use?
Carnage3D (MIT).
Do I need to own the original Grand Theft Auto to play these clones?
Carnage3D and OpenGTA require original game assets to play.
Can I play any of these Grand Theft Auto clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Carnage3D has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Grand Theft Auto clone is the most actively maintained?
Carnage3D and gta1_re are currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Grand Theft Auto.