Summary:
- According to a former Sony executive, Sony signed an exclusivity deal with Rockstar Games for the Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and San Andreas titles because they were worried about the growing popularity of the Xbox console.
- The exclusivity deal ensured that these highly anticipated GTA games would only be available on the PlayStation 2, which helped drive sales and adoption of Sony's console during a critical period in the console wars.
- The revelation provides insight into the competitive landscape of the early 2000s console market, where platform holders would secure exclusive content to gain an advantage over their rivals.