Stephen Bliss, the former Rockstar Games artist credited with establishing Grand Theft Auto's distinctive visual identity, has expressed his appreciation for the continued influence of his designs on the franchise's cover art, particularly for Grand Theft Auto 6.
Bliss, who worked at Rockstar Games from 2001 to 2016, noted that while he had no direct involvement in the GTA 6 cover art, he recognized elements that originated from his work. "I looked at the GTA 6 cover, for example. I had nothing to do with that, but the fact they still use the box grid and they still put the helicopter in the top left corner, which was something that I developed, I'm flattered by that," Bliss stated in an interview with IGN. He added that seeing this heritage continue and his influence present, even in subtle references, is gratifying.
Bliss was pivotal in shaping the comic book-inspired aesthetic of Grand Theft Auto's promotional materials, including the grid layout that has become a signature element of the series. He was careful to acknowledge the contributions of other artists at Rockstar, such as Anthony Macbain and Steven Olds, who also played significant roles in defining the game's visual language.
Despite having spent the last decade cultivating his own artistic style outside of Rockstar, Bliss conveyed his enduring gratitude for his time on the Grand Theft Auto series and its lasting impact. The interview also delves into how the September 11 attacks influenced the GTA 3 cover art and the creative hurdles involved in developing the distinct visual styles for Vice City and San Andreas.