REWRITING THE RULES

OF OPEN WORLD

GAMEPLAY IN A

LIVING, BREATHING CITY

Storytelling, Creative Content & Production

As a Brand Manager, I was part of a collaborative effort with a team of dedicated game developers, producers, programmers, web programmers, artists, graphic designers, and project managers tasked with showcasing the revolutionary open-world gameplay and the intricately designed, living, breathing city of Liberty City. I was responsible for capturing striking in-game screenshots highlighting the game's unique gameplay in an open-world city with limitless possibilities. In my role, I worked to create compelling messaging for both gaming and lifestyle PR that was crucial in navigating the conversations around the game's portrayal of urban crime and adult content.

  • In addition, I created screenshots and gameplay clips that not only illustrated the depth of the game's narrative—following the mute protagonist, Claude, through his dark and twisted path in the criminal underworld—but also emphasized the game's groundbreaking mechanics, such as the ability to explore a massive 3D environment and engage in complex interactions with the environment and other characters. Each asset was pivotal in building anticipation and disseminated through various marketing channels, including major retailers like GameStop, which helped position the game prominently in the competitive market.

  • The launch of Grand Theft Auto III became the best-selling video game of 2001 and a defining moment in the history of video games. The game's release was not only a commercial triumph selling tens of millions of units, but also set new standards for what open-world games could be. The game was lauded for its ambitious design and became a cultural touchstone that influenced numerous other titles in the gaming industry. The team’s efforts helped cement Grand Theft Auto III's reputation and giving birth to an award winning, groundbreaking franchise that would continue to receive critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and narrative depth.

  • Campaign Strategy, Social Media Strategy, Creative Ideation

Illustrations by Stephen Bliss

Let’s Connect.

Feel free to email me or let’s connect
on social media to plan a discussion about your next project.

steven.knezevich[at]gmail[dot]com
‪(424) 265-7841

Los Angeles, CA