List of characters in Grand Theft Auto III
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. (Note that the order in which some of these characters appear in-game depends upon the sequence in which the player completes certain missions.)
Contents |
[edit] Major characters
[edit] Claude
Introduced in: Introduction; bank heist cutscene
Claude is the silent protagonist and player control character of Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III). He was left for dead after a bank heist with Catalina, resulting in his arrest by the police. Claude later escaped with 8-Ball when a bridge they were being transported on to prison, Callahan Bridge, was blown up. Building a reputation among crime bosses and rising in the ranks of the underworld, Claude eventually killed Catalina near the end of the storyline.
Claude's name is never disclosed in the game itself, as such, prior names given to him by fans included "the GTA III guy", "Fido" (after a nickname invented by Maria) and "Kid". Although it is revealed that his name can be found deep within GTA III's data files,[1] the name is only formally mentioned and suggested in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA:SA).
Throughout the game, Claude has largely remained speechless and is never heard talking, remaining so during his brief cameo in San Andreas. This trait is referenced in GTA III, when Maria suggests on the Chatterbox radio show that "[Claude] don't talk too much." Some fans believe that this is how it was so easy for him to gain connections and jobs within Liberty City, because he did what was requested without questions and without arguments.[citation needed]
While Carl Johnson could be seen as having to deal with adverse circumstances, (the death of his mother, the betrayal of various individuals, survival in the ghetto) Claude is arguably a much less morally redeemable character. He is given the job of cold-blooded assassination (that is, with no personal knowledge of the target) on a large number of occasions, and performs these with none of CJ's vocal reluctance. Also, while CJ's motivations are almost entirely personal, (avenging his mother's death, the removal of Tenpenny's control of him, and the security of his neighborhood) it is implied that Claude's interest in underworld seniority is almost as strong as his desire for revenge upon Catalina.
- See also: GTA: San Andreas rendition
[edit] Catalina
Introduced in: Introduction; bank heist cutscene
Killed in: "The Exchange"
Catalina is a notorious bank robber,[2] Claude's former girlfriend and primary antagonist in GTA III, who had betrays him during a bank heist, shooting him and leaving him for the police, while she runs free with the profits along with a new partner in crime, Miguel. Her reason for dating Claude, is simply "business,"[3] while her reason for shooting Claude is his lack of ambition that she has.[4]
Catalina proceeds to cooperate with the Colombian Cartel, running a SPANK drug manufacturing and distribution business with Miguel. She would also betray Miguel later, after Claude discovers them in a construction site; when Miguel attempts to get Claude to lower his gun, Catalina shoots Miguel and jumps out of the building into a pile of boxes several stories below, before Asuka emerges and proceeds to torture and interrogate Miguel. Catalina is presumed to have full control of the Cartel after Miguel's capture.
Having escaped from Claude, she would later be responsible for the kidnapping of Maria and the killing of Asuka and Miguel at the construction site. Requesting a ransom to be given at the Cartel's mansion in Shoreside Vale for Maria's release, Claude does as instructed, but is fooled once again by Catalina, who instructs the Cartel to kill Claude. Despite overwhelming odds, Claude turns the table by punching a Cartel goon and taking his gun, succeeding in escaping the Cartel compound and pursues Catalina, who rides a helicopter towards Cochrane Dam. Claude battles through the dam, and eventually succeeds in killing Catalina by the end of the game, as the helicopter she was riding in is shot down by Claude (with either a rocket propelled grenade or M16 rifle).
Prior to GTA III, Catalina and Claude are known to have been on the move, committing robberies in multiple states, including the south, and the southwest, among others.[2] On October 2001, the FBI discovers that both Catalina and Claude may have arrived at Liberty City.[2] Catalina is also of Dominican and Colombian descent[2] and is a cousin of Cesar Vialpando, who is believed to be of Mexican descent and is a fellow associate of Carl Johnson.
Catalina was voiced by Cynthia Farrell.[5]
- See also: GTA: San Andreas rendition
[edit] Miguel
Introduced in: Introduction; bank heist cutscene
Killed in: "Ransom"
Miguel is a Colombian Cartel member and Catalina's partner after Claude, frequently seen with Catalina while running the SPANK drug business in Liberty City. During a mission in which Donald Love requests Claude to retrieve a package from the airport, the package is found stolen by the Colombian Cartel and is being handed over to Catalina and Miguel. Claude eventually tracks them down, resulting in Miguel handing over the package and Catalina shooting Miguel, leaving him at the mercy of Asuka, then enraged by the killing of her brother. Miguel is then tortured into revealing information about Catalina's operations, and is soon seen motionless and stabbed in the torso by a pole, killed by the Cartel while they killed Asuka and kidnapped Maria.
Miguel was voiced by Al Espinosa.[5]
- See also: GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] 8-Ball
Introduced in: Introduction; jailbreak cutscene
8-Ball is a firearms and explosives specialist who owns three bomb shops throughout Liberty City. 8-Ball meets Claude shortly after the beginning of the storyline, when he and Claude escape from a police convoy. As a token of his appreciation, 8-Ball introduces Claude to Luigi Goterelli, an old friend of his, for work. 8-Ball seems to be the closest thing Claude has to a friend throughout the game.
8-Ball can be seen with both hands bandaged from an injury during his appearances, leaving Claude to do most of the more intensive work (such as driving and shooting) when 8-Ball accompanies him. 8-Ball is believed to have sustained scaldings from hot fat accidentally poured onto his hands, during a scuffle with the police in a raid at his home, before he was arrested.[6] However, Grand Theft Auto Advance reveals that he suffered such injuries from a gang ambush.
While the character of 8-Ball is only present in Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Advance, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, 8-Ball explosives shops can also be found additionally in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
8-Ball was voiced by The Guru.[5]
- See also: GTA Advance rendition and GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] Luigi Goterelli
Introduced in: "Give Me Liberty"
Luigi Goterelli aka "The Snake" is a co-manager (along with Mickey Hamfists) of a night club called "Sex Club 7" in the Red Light District of Portland Island, and is linked to the Leone Mafia Family. He uses this club as a base for his legion of prostitutes scattered throughout Portland. He is Claude's first boss in Liberty City, and gives him mundane jobs such as driving his girls around and chasing down minor gangsters who mess with his operation. When escaping Portland, it is possible for Claude to kill Luigi.
Luigi Goterelli was voiced by Joe Pantoliano.[5]
[edit] Joey Leone
Introduced in: "Drive Misty For Me"
Joey Leone is a member of the Leone Mafia Family and the son of Don Salvatore Leone. Known for his lack of ambition, Joey works as a mechanic with criminal side-dealings in Portland. In cut scenes he is constantly seen restoring a BF Injection dune buggy, and spending time with his favorite prostitute, Misty. The buggy can be seen (after completing the Portland mission string) parked in certain hours outside the apartment where Misty is picked up in the "Drive Misty For Me" mission). Joey's tasks intended for Claude include theft, assassinations and body disposal.
In the process, Joey introduces his father's "Capo", Toni Cipriani, allowing Claude to perform further jobs with the Leone family. Joey is also mentioned in San Andreas when Carl Johnson meets Salvatore Leone in Las Venturas, stating that he had the pleasure of working with Joey while residing in Liberty City. Joey is referenced again in Liberty City Stories when Salvatore Leone states that he wasn't as involved in the mob family ("What more could a family guy ask for? Even my son don't got it so good").
Joey is also believed to have been responsible for the killing of several Forelli Mafia members, which had in turn results in a Mafia war between the Leones and the Forellis. It is debatable whether he becomes Don following his father's death. Toni Cipriani would conceivably be next in line if Joey continued with his auto business.
Joey Leone was voiced by Michael Rapaport.[5]
[edit] Toni Cipriani
Introduced in: "Cipriani's Chauffeur", although he may be heard on Chatterbox FM beforehand
Toni Cipriani is a member of the Leone Mafia Family, working as a capo for Salvatore Leone. Early missions with Cipriani were primarily focused on extorting protection money from a Triad-controlled laundromat, by destroying several of the business's delivery trucks. Coupled with a Triad attack during the transportation of the Family's high-ranked members to one of Don Salvatore's meetings, a full-blown war between the Mafia and the Triads occurred, and Claude was now an enemy to the Triads. The war led to the destruction of the Triad's fish factory, with Toni instructing Claude to deliver a garbage truck armed with a bomb to the factory.
Toni lives with his mother, Momma Cipriani, and is frequently seen in his family-run restaurant, Momma's Restaurante (or Cipriani's Ristorante, as seen in its sign at the restaurant), providing jobs for Claude. The constant nagging from his mother about him not being able to match up with his father and failing to meet up to her expectations had forced him to call the local chat radio station, Chatterbox FM, and complain about his mother's constant bickering.
Toni Cipriani is a likely spoof of Tony Soprano, the main character from The Sopranos. Aside from their names, both characters also share ongoing problems with their mothers, who also ordered hits on them (Cipriani would face this predicament in Liberty City Stories).
Toni Cipriani was voiced by Michael Madsen.[5]
- See also: GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition, as the protagonist of Liberty City Stories.
[edit] Salvatore Leone
Introduced in: "Salvatore Called A Meeting"
Killed in: "Sayonara Salvatore"
Salvatore Leone is the Don who controls the Leone Mafia family. According to GTA III's official website, Salvatore was originally from Palermo, Sicily and came to be Don of the Family after a bloody power struggle in the mid-1980s.[7]
Salvatore is introduced to Claude when he called a meeting with Joey Leone, Toni Cipriani, Luigi Goterelli; and Claude would be the limousine chauffeur who would bring the trio to Salvatore's mansion in Saint Mark's. Early missions instruct Claude to investigate the activities of Curly Bob, a member who appeared to be leaking information about the Leone's activities to the Colombian Cartel and, if found guilty, to kill him. Claude would later be tasked to destroy a tanker ship that was suspected to be a SPANK drug factory for the Cartel.
Salvatore is portrayed as increasingly paranoid and suspicious of everyone around him, as stated by Curly Bob and Salvatore's attempt to kill Claude with a trap, the latter done to try to establish a deal with the Colombian Cartel. Salvatore would be killed by Claude after leaving Luigi's club at one time (it is assumed that the Leone family was celebrating there as Salvatore stated, "Once this unfortunate business is taken care of, we'll all go down to the club and celebrate."), as instructed by Asuka Kasen to prove that Claude has finally broken ties with the Family. The leadership of the Leone Mafia family thereafter remains in doubt.
Salvatore is indicated to have an unnamed brother, whom he claimed "the police associate [Salvatore] with."[7] This revelation is never explored for the rest of the series, although The Introduction, a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas prequel film, reveals he had an additional cousin who was killed by the Sindaccos before events in San Andreas.
Salvatore Leone was voiced by Frank Vincent.[5]
[edit] Maria
Introduced in: "Chaperone", although she may be heard on Chatterbox FM beforehand
Killed in: "The Exchange"; closing cutscene (presumably)
Maria Latore (also referred to as Maria La Torra by several sources) is Don Salvatore Leone's girlfriend (it's revealed that she's actually his wife in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories). She is introduced to Claude after Salvatore requests that Claude "look after her for the evening". Developing a liking for Claude, she would save Claude's life by preventing Claude from entering a death trap set up by Salvatore (before telling him they were both an item) and seek help from an associate, Asuka Kasen, to flee to Staunton Island. She would appear as a caller on Chatterbox FM to describe her feelings with Claude, but expresses doubt because Claude was seen as being uninterested to her, "always working and hanging out with the guys" instead.
Maria would still be seen with Asuka on occasions, sometimes with hints that the two were lovers, including the period when Miguel was tortured and interrogated, as Asuka seemed to gain a sexual thrill out of it. Maria is then kidnapped by the Cartel and held ransom by Catalina, but is rescued by Claude by the end of the storyline. Maria's fate remains unknown, however, when the screen portraying Claude and Maria (overwhelmed by excitement, talks continuously about Claude and herself) walking away fades to black, and a gunshot was heard. It is unknown whether the gunshot was meant to kill Maria due to her constant nagging while the credits rolled (though it remains implied).[8]
Maria holds an interest in leopard skin furniture (evidenced from her Chatterbox phone call), and also sports an outfit with tiger stripe patterns. She is later seen in clothing of a similiar fashion in Liberty City Stories.
Maria was voiced by Debi Mazar.[5]
[edit] Asuka Kasen
Introduced in: "Last Requests"
Killed in: "Ransom"
Asuka Kasen is a co-leader of the Liberty City Yakuza, who is called on by Maria to bring her and Claude to safety from the Leone Mafia Family after Salvatore's attempted assassination on Claude. She would provide further jobs to Claude, after killing Salvatore, as well as introduce him to her brother, Kenji Kasen. She is also retconned in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories to have a deceased older brother, Kazuki Kasen.
Later in the game, Asuka can be seen torturing Miguel and instructing Claude to further destroy Catalina's SPANK drugs operation, as an act of revenge for the killing of her brother by an unknown "Colombian assassin". She would eventually be killed along with Miguel, by Catalina.
"Police records" in GTA III's official website indicated that Asuka had only arrived in the United States in 1991, ten years prior to GTA III. In the records, it is also revealed that Asuka assumed a leadership role in the Yakuza for her senior "torture, security and information retrieval" skills, despite the fact that it is unusual for Yakuza families to appoint female authorities.
It is strongly hinted that she is a bisexual dominatrix; at one point she ties up Maria and plays sadomasochism games with her. She exhibited similar behaviors in Grand Theft Auto Advance.
Asuka Kasen was voiced by Lianna Pai.[5]
- See also: GTA Advance rendition
[edit] Kenji Kasen
Introduced in: "Under Surveillance"
Killed in: "Waka-Gashira Wipeout"
Kenji Kasen is a co-leader of the Liberty City Yakuza (alternatively known as the "Waka-Gashira", as mentioned by Donald Love), who highly respects honor and is also the brother of Asuka Kasen. Kenji operates a casino in Downtown Staunton Island, where he provides jobs for Claude. He would be killed later in the game, during a meeting at a multistory car park, after Claude is asked by Donald Love to assassinate Kenji while posing as a Colombian Cartel member, in an effort to drive down local real estate prices with a gang war between the Yakuza and the Cartel.
GTA III's official website hinted that Kenji is considerably inferior in leadership skills than Asuka, as "many cite his 'funny way of speaking' as seriously undermining his authority." Indeed, Kenji can be heard swallowing his words whenever he speaks in game. Kenji moved to the United States in 1996, five years after Asuka. He is also retconned in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories to have a deceased older brother, Kazuki Kasen.
Kenji Kasen was voiced by Les J.N. Mau.[5]
[edit] Ray Machowski
Introduced in: "Pay Day For Ray"
Ray Machowski is a corrupt police officer in the Liberty City Police Department who works as an insider for the Yakuza. He is introduced to Claude while receiving a payment from Asuka for his previous job with the Yakuza.
Machowski is depicted as heavily cautious with his activities, and is willing to silence associates who attempted to expose any crime committed by either him or his partners. By the end of his presence in Liberty City, the CIA has begun investigating Machowski's links with the Colombian Cartel and the SPANK, forcing Machowski to flee the city and escape to Miami, Florida. In the process of working for Machowski, Claude is introduced to Donald Love, after helping to dispose embarrassing photographs of Love in a "morgue party".
Machowski makes a second appearance in Liberty City Stories, as a partner of Leon McAffrey. The game reveals that Machowski was initially uncomfortable working for criminals and taking bribes, suggesting that he had only turned corrupt recently.
Ray Machowski was voiced by Robert Loggia.[5]
[edit] Donald Love
Introduced in: "Liberator", although he may be heard on Chatterbox FM before the mission.
Donald Love is a media mogul and owner of Love Media, "the fastest growing US-run media conglomerate in the past five years". Operating from his apartment and office in south Bedford Point, Staunton Island, he primarily tasks Claude to complete jobs related to receiving a mysterious "package" delivered by plane. After successfully aiding in the return of the authenticated "package" to Love (by acting as a lure to the SWAT and police), he disappears, leaving behind an opened box in his apartment.
Love Media controls approximately "900 radio stations, 300 television stations, 4 networks, 3 satellites, (and) 10 senators", with the Love Media brand name, Love's announcements or related commercials evident in certain player accessed radio stations, including Head Radio, Flashback 95.6, Double Cleff FM, and Chatterbox FM. Love Media also owns the Liberty Tree, Liberty City's local newspaper.
Donald Love is believed to had only begun doing business in Liberty City from early-2001 onwards,[9] indicating that Love Media was quick in founding or acquiring many companies in Liberty City within months (the time period of the Grand Theft Auto III is supposingly late 2001). This was done as a response to the return of Barry Harcross, a recently acquitted businessman and long time rival of Donald Love, to the city.[10]
While little background information is known of Love, he is seen as a former apprentice of real estate mogul Avery Carrington, who appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as a boss for Tommy Vercetti; the most evident sign of his link with Carrington is his use of a phrase that was also heard from Carrington, when Love asks that Claude assassinate Kenji Kasen:
| Nothing drives down real estate prices like a good old-fashioned gang war, apart from the outbreak of a plague, but that might be going too far in this case. |
Donald Love makes a third appearance in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Love is portrayed as cannibalistic and possessing a fascination for human corpses, thus explaining his connection to the aforementioned "morgue party" in GTA III. However, several possible continuity errors are also noted: Love had apparently operated in Liberty City in 1998 (although he was seen working in a different office building) and already owns several radio stations and newspapers, contrary to what the aforementioned 2001 Liberty Tree articles claims.
Donald Love was voiced by Kyle MacLachlan.[5]
- See also: GTA: Vice City rendition and GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] Minor characters
[edit] Oriental Gentleman
Introduced in: Introduction; jailbreak cutscene
The unnamed "Oriental Gentleman" is a minor but key character in the game's storyline, who is also an important accomplice of Donald Love. Shortly before GTA III, he was arrested, after arriving in Liberty City on a private jet plane from an "unknown departure point somewhere in east Asia", for "failing to satisfy the INS that he had a valid reason for entering the country" and having no proper travel documents (including a passport and visa, "nor a platinum credit card to bribe his way through customs"). As a result, he was set to be delivered to a high security penitentiary before he is to be deported back later in October 2001.[11]
Early in GTA III's storyline, the Oriental Gentleman boarded a police convoy to prison, along with Claude and 8-Ball, only to be targeted for kidnapping by Colombian Cartel commandos as the convoy crossed the Callahan Bridge (unintentionally allowing Claude and 8-Ball to escape). He was later held captive by the Cartel, as they attempted to hold him hostage for extortion money from Love. Under orders by Love, Claude would rescue the Oriental Gentleman.
The Oriental Gentleman is then tasked by Love to authenticate a mysterious delivery retrieved by Claude. He is also seen, in one cutscene, joining Love for a round of T'ai Chi.
[edit] Mickey Hamfists
Introduced in: "Don't Spank Ma Bitch Up"
Mickey Hamfists is a bodyguard for Luigi Goterelli, and the co-manager of Sex Club 7 (along with Luigi). Mickey always checks Luigi's visitors for him, and will simply deliver a written letter to them at times. He's also an enforcer for the Leone family and attends all of the "made" ceremonies. Nevertheless, "police records" from the official GTA III website described him as "a moron." Mickey also has prior convictions for assault, racketeering, and multiple involvements with narcotics.
- See also: GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] Misty
Introduced in: "Luigi's Girls"
Misty is a woman who works for Luigi Goterelli at the "Sex Club 7", and is Joey Leone's "regular girl". On two occasions, Claude is asked by Goterelli to drive her from one place to another, with the blatant message to "keep (his) eyes on the road and off Misty." She also lives at an apartment complex in Hepburn Heights, from which Joey's BF Injection dune buggy would also appear nearby later in the storyline. Misty can be seen as an unofficial mascot of GTA III as she is featured prominently on the promotions and cover packaging for the game.
Misty was voiced by Kim Gurney.[5]
[edit] Mike "Lips" Forelli
Introduced/Killed in: "Mike Lips Last Lunch"
Mike "Lips" Forelli is a minor character who shows up briefly, when Joey Leone sends Claude to kill him, in an effort to teach the Forellis a lesson for not repaying debts. Lips is eating at Marco's Bistro in Saint Mark's (which sign's slogan reads "Eat 'til you explode," mirroring Mike's eventual fate) when Claude steals his Idaho car and fits it with a car bomb. Mike would later leave the restaurant and enter the car, only to be killed in the explosion. This act of aggression sparks a war between the Leone and Forelli Mafia families. It is unknown what position Lips holds in the Forelli crime family.
[edit] "Chunky" Lee Chong
Introduced/Killed in: "Farewell 'Chunky' Lee Chong"
"Chunky" Lee Chong is a member in the local Triad who owns a noodle stand in the heart of Chinatown and is said to be pushing SPANK for the Colombian Cartel. Once Joey hears that Chong is selling it for the Cartel, he orders Claude to hunt him down and murder him at his Noodle Stand in Chinatown. Claude carries out Joey's commands and murders "Chunky" while he attempts to escape from his stand. This killing is the first instance seen in the game's storyline of the Leone Mafia Family's hostilities towards the Triad, which develops into a war between the two gangs later.
[edit] Marty Chonks
Introduced in: "The Crook"
Killed in: "Her Lover"
Marty Chonks is the corrupt owner of the Bitchin' Dog Food company. His love for money causes him to perform various illegal activities, which leads him to call for Claude. Claude's tasks involve transporting various people who are seen as obstacles to Marty to the Bitchin' Dog Food factory, where Marty turns them into dog food[12] (except Carl; see following paragraph). Throughout most of his time as an employee, Claude doesn't see Marty until his last mission for him, since he gets his orders through a payphone.
Eventually, Marty employs Claude to pick up his wife, Mrs. Chonks. After she is killed, Marty finds that she had a secret lover named Carl to whom he happens to owe money. Marty figures he can overpower the man just as he had all the others,[12] but Carl brings a shotgun along with him, which he uses to kill Marty, and claims that he will be taking over Marty's dog food business. When the mission ends, the player is given the opportunity to see Marty's corpse and face before his body disappears, along with killing Carl.
Marty Chonks' missions are likely spoofs to the 1989 film The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. The names of his missions and people he killed, in order, read "The Crook" (a bank manager), "The Thieves" (two burglars), "The Wife" (Mrs. Chonks) and "Her Lover" (Carl, whom Chonks fails to kill); the theme of human meat being used as food is also prevalent in both the missions and the film.
Chris Phillips provided the voice of Marty Chonks.[5]
[edit] Momma Cipriani
Introduced in: "Taking Out the Laundry"
Momma Cipriani (aka Ma Cipriani in Liberty City Stories) is the faceless co-owner of Cipriani's Ristorante in the game. She is the mother of Toni Cipriani and is known to nag frequently to her son about him not meeting up to her husband's capabilities. It is suggested that she is known by Salvatore Leone to be a strong willed woman.
Momma Cipriani was voiced by Sondra James.[5]
- See also: GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] Curly Bob
Introduced/Killed in: "Cutting the Grass"
Curly Bob is the bartender at Luigi's "Sex Club 7," who is seen ratting on the Leones for the Colombian Cartel in exchange for SPANK. Under orders by Salvatore, Curly would be killed if Claude witnesses him leaking information to the Cartel. This eventually occurs at Portland Harbor after he is seen explaining the Leone's activities to Catalina and Miguel, in exchange for SPANK. When speaking, he distinctively sniffs between sentences.
Curly Bob was voiced by Hunter Platin.[5]
[edit] McAffrey
Introduced/Killed in: Silence the Sneak
McAffrey is a corrupt policeman of unknown rank who attempts to turn state evidence for an undisclosed crime in exchange for an honorable discharge. McAffrey was under armed protection when Claude arrives to burn his apartment. With the place on fire, McAffrey then attempted to promptly escape by car, but was eventually killed by Claude.
It is worth noting that in a later mission, "Plaster Blaster," Ray Machowski berates Claude for failing to kill a "witness" and orders him to finish the job. Claude succeeds in killing the witness the second time around, but because the man is in a full body cast, it is unclear whether the "witness" in question is McAffrey or Ray's more recent partner.
Although he is primarily a throwaway character in GTA III, McAffrey would reappear in Liberty City Stories with a larger role as an aide to Toni Cipriani, as well as having a first name, Leon.
- See also: GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition
[edit] Phil Cassidy, the One-Armed Bandit
Introduced in: "Arms Shortage"
Phil Cassidy (aka The One-Armed Bandit in the game's credits) is a friend of Ray Machowski, believed to have fought alongside Machowski during a military conflict in Nicaragua (a possible reference to the United States' military intervention on Nicaragua during the 1980s). As a former soldier, Phil owns a business dubbed "Phil's Army Surplus" in Rockford, at the edge of Staunton Island, specializing in selling military-grade weaponry, as well as providing military vehicles from within its compound. Phil appeared briefly during a mission when Claude is required to protect Phil from a group of Colombian Cartel members, who have been attempting to extort weapons from Phil's business. After fending of Cartel members, Phil returns the favor by offering Claude weapons to buy.
Phil is portrayed as having only one arm, losing his left arm for an unconfirmed reason, although it is suggested that he may have lost it in Nicaragua. At the end of the aforementioned mission between Phil with Claude and the Colombian Cartel, Phil jokingly stated to Claude that he would "still have his arm" if Claude "teamed up with [Phil] at Nicaragua." In Vice City, Phil loses his arm in a drunken explosive accident. This indicates his mention of Nicaragua is either a continuity error or he is covering up for the accident. However because of Phil's frequent drinking of "boomshine" up to the point where he lost his arm, it may be that Phil is not remembering events accurately.
Phil's last name, "Cassidy", only appears in GTA III's instruction manual map of Liberty City, and is later again used during apperances in three future GTA games (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories). Since his first appearance in GTA III, Phil has retained his friendly and relatively good natured personality towards the games' protagonists, and has been repeatedly associated with the sale of heavy armaments, with his role and background (including his family) expanded.
Phil was voiced by Hunter Platin.[5]
- See also: GTA: Vice City rendition, GTA: Liberty City Stories rendition and GTA: Vice City Stories rendition
[edit] El Burro
Directed to met him after completing "Van Heist"; introduced in: "Turismo"
El Burro (Spanish for "The Donkey") is a member of the Hispanic Diablos gang who assigns Claude jobs from Portland Island, operating from a pay phone located in the Hepburn Heights housing projects. El Burro is believed to be running a pornography magazine publishing business, based on his phone calls and the magazines stacked in the player's Portland safe house upon completion of all of El Burro's missions. He is never seen in person during the actual game, although a game art of him was created (pictured to the left), and used in publications and the game's interface.
El Burro was also featured previously as a character in Grand Theft Auto, and mentioned in dialog in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Chris Phillips provided the voice of El Burro.[5]
[edit] King Courtney
Directed to met him upon unlocking and entering Staunton Island; introduced in: "Bling-Bling Scramble"
King Courtney is a member of the Jamaican Yardies who assigns Claude jobs from Staunton island, operating from a payphone located near Liberty Campus. The primary focus of his jobs are mostly related to attacks against rival gangs, with one of these mission requiring that Claude turn his back against the Diablos by killing several of its members. The final "job" involved Claude being lured into a trap, where Catalina has dispatched vans of "SPANK-ed up madmen" suicide bombers to kill Claude, an act that subsequently fermented relationships between Claude and the Yardies. He is never seen in person in Grand Theft Auto III, but does during his appearances in Grand Theft Auto Advance.
King Courtney was voiced by Walter Mudu.[5]
- See also: GTA Advance rendition
[edit] D-Ice
Directed to met him upon unlocking and entering Shoreside Vale; introduced in: "Uzi Money"
D-Ice is a member of the African-American Red Jacks gang who assigns Claude jobs from Shoreside Vale, operating from a payphone located in the Wichita Gardens housing projects. Several of its missions involved attacks and fights against a rival gang, the Purple Nines, which appeared to be supplied with SPANK and are pushing the drug onto the streets. Claude would eventually reduce the Purple Nines to only a few members at the time of the final battle between Claude with D-Ice's brother and the last of the Purple Nines. He is never seen in person in the game.
D-Ice was voiced by Walter Mudu.[5]
[edit] Removed characters
[edit] Darkel
Darkel is a character dropped during the development of Grand Theft Auto III. Little is known about the character, except that he was to be a revolutionary urchin who vowed to bring down the city's economy. One mission involved stealing an ice cream van, using it to attract pedestrians, then blowing it up[13] (this mission would eventually be given by El Burro instead in the final version of game to kill a group of gang members). Darkel was also originally expected to give out Rampage-esque missions.[14] Little is disclosed about when or why Darkel was removed, although several Grand Theft Auto players believed that the removal of the character may had resulted from the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Darkel had his voice recorded for this part by Bill Fiore,[5] but was never used in game. However, the character remains listed in GTA III's manual's credits, as well as having a character texture retained in the game's data files.[15]
[edit] Curtly
Curtly is the second known character to be deleted during game development, who was to be voiced Curtis McClarin.[5] Unlike Darkel, no information has been released regarding his role in the game or his significance to the original storyline. He is also listed in the game's manual alongside Darkel, however, which lead players to question his and Darkel's involvement.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ ImageShack hosted image depicting existence of "Claude" in Grand Theft Auto III data files. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ a b c d Liberty Tree: "Have You Seen This Woman?". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Catalina: "The real question is, did you turn up to rescue Maria or to get me back? Well I got news for you, shooting you will be a pleasure but dating you was only business." (Opening cutscene of "Ransom", Grand Theft Auto III.)
- ^ Catalina: "Sorry babe. I'm an ambitious girl. And you, you're just small time." (Opening bank heist cutscene, Grand Theft Auto III.)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Full Grand Theft Auto III credits. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on October 1, 2006.
- ^ Liberty Tree: "Another Punch in the Gut for Organized Crime". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ a b Liberty Tree: "SALVATORE LEONE: 'Just a Business Man'". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ An interesting side note is that the blast that is heard before Maria went silent after completing the final mission is from a shotgun. However, during the mission, all of Claude's weapons are taken away, and he needs to gather new ones by picking them up; the shotgun is not amongst the weapons that can be obtained by killing hostile Colombian Cartel members. Nevertheless, it is still possible to acquire a shotgun by other legitimate means outside the mission, and completing the mission on time (the mission is timed for only several minutes).
- ^ Liberty Tree: "Donald Love coming to Liberty". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Liberty Tree: "Business Man Cleared of All Charges Returns to Liberty City". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Liberty Tree: "Elderly Asian Man Held After Failing to Satisfy Immigration". Official Grand Theft Auto III website. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ a b Marty Chonks: "I've agreed to see [Carl]...he thinks I'm gonna pay him off...but my guess is...Liberty's dogs are gonna get yet another flavor this month." (Opening cutscene of "Her Lover", Grand Theft Auto III.)
- ^ Grand Theft Auto: How Smart is the AI?. IGN. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Grand Theft Auto 3 Information. GOURANGA!. Retrieved on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Frequently Asked Questions for GTA III. GTAForums.com. Retrieved on August 28, 2006.
[edit] See also
- Grand Theft Auto III soundtrack, for radio disc jockeys and personalities.
