Only True GTA Fans Noticed This GTA Easter Egg
There is no other gaming franchise quite like “Grand Theft Auto.” Since the first title in the series was released in 1997, these edgy, high-octane games have piqued the imagination of players seeking extralegal thrills both on and off the road.
Looking at “GTA 5” lifetime sales figures cements the IP’s dominance. On top of such remarkable results, MarketWatch labelled the 2013 title “the most financially successful media title of all time,” and it even took the top spot on Twitch eight years after its release. Naturally, this level of popularity has aided “GTA” in developing a devoted fanbase.
Players who have uncovered many of the details in “GTA” may believe there is nothing else to discover, but one Easter egg may change their opinions. Of course, this isn’t the first time a secret has been revealed in the franchise. In fact, “GTA” Easter eggs have spread beyond the series’ boundaries into other games. In addition to all of those hidden treasures, “GTA” entries contain a slew of secret regions. This Easter egg necessitates knowledge of numerous “GTA” games, granting it real fan-only status.
The signature GTA cover helicopter
Fans on Reddit and Kotaku have noticed that practically every “Grand Theft Auto” cover since “GTA 3” has a helicopter in the upper left-hand corner of the box. The birth of the enduring grid-style cover design that makes “GTA” box art so recognisable at a glance also correlates with the trend. There are a few exceptions, such as “GTA Advance,” “GTA Chinatown Wars,” and several international covers, but the helicopter is a recurring element.
That’s not the only Easter egg in the “GTA” cover. Though less consistent than the recurring helicopter location, Kotaku also picked out the frequently appearing motorcycle in the upper right-hand corner of “GTA” covers. This artwork appears to be accurate to the game, as motorcycles appear in practically every entry in the series.
Though helicopters are a key component of “GTA” and have been in the games since the beginning, it’s worth noting that they didn’t become flyable by players until “GTA: Vice City,” which came out after the helicopter cover trend began with the previous title “GTA 3.” Whatever the rhyme or rationale for the continuous helicopter cover placement, it adds another layer of ambiguity to logistically grasping the importance of the Easter egg. But, then again, that’s part of what makes it so elusive.