Prior to the initial release , several modifications were made to the game . While changes are frequent during game development , the changes in '' Grand Theft Auto III '' were noted to be around the time of the September 11 attacks , which led to speculation that some changes were motivated by the attacks . On 19 September 2001 , Rockstar delayed the game 's release by three weeks , citing the attacks as an influencing factor in the delay . " Everyone had someone who had an uncle or brother who was impacted by the attack " , said Paul Eibeler , then-president of distributor Take-Two Interactive
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Grand Theft Auto III