While Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to be a monumental release, a zero-budget title on Steam named Alaturka has captured player attention with its viral trailer, evoking the spirit of the PS2 era.
The game, developed by a single individual under the alias Bufuak, is described as a "PS2-era 70s Istanbul GTA with heavy driving physics and döner kebab deliveries." Players step into the shoes of a kebab apprentice who, after arriving in Bosforus, Turkey, becomes entangled in dangerous jobs alongside less savory characters. The chaotic gameplay sequences shown in the trailer bear a strong resemblance to titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and San Andreas.
Alaturka’s Steam page highlights a robust driving system designed to replicate the feel of bulky period vehicles. The game appears to incorporate a Crazy Taxi-like delivery mechanic, tasking players with transporting kebabs while navigating traffic. In contrast to the lock-on targeting of earlier GTA entries, Alaturka features a free-aiming system for its gunplay.
Developer Bufuak has spent the past two years working on Alaturka in his free time, livestreaming the development process on YouTube. The game is being shaped by community feedback from weekly streams, making it a unique collaborative project. Bufuak also serves as the Unreal Istanbul community lead. Although Alaturka lacks a definitive release window, its ongoing development is transparently shared with the public.