Student creates Streatham Hill version of Grand Theft Auto (From Your Local Guardian)

Student creates Streatham Hill version of Grand Theft Auto

11:40am Monday 20th April 2009

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It has already been the subject of a novel, and had a blockbuster film made there - but now for the first time Streatham will take centre stage in computer game Grand Theft Auto.

Brixton resident Anthony Staines, 20, has perfectly recreated Streatham Hill for his version of the cult classic, but ultra-violent, computer game Grand Theft Auto.

He has spent hundreds of hours modelling the shop facades, buildings and signs – even mapping out the interior of the Megabowl using computer code – to recreate a perfect digital copy of the area.

The computer science student said: “I am really pleased with how accurate it is. I took hundreds of photos for me to build the game from.”

He said he chose Streatham Hill because he grew up there, and iconic buildings such as the Megabowl and Caesars would make a good backdrop for a computer game cityscape.

He hopes to launch the game, currently under the working title – Grand Theft Auto: Streatham Hill - on the internet in four months.

But the former Hitherfield Primary pupil fears its violent subject matter may offend some residents, given Streatham’s history with gun crime.

The Grand Theft Auto format involves a vigilante strolling around the streets committing acts of violence.

A poster advertising the game depicting a young black girl carrying a gun situated yards from where James Andre Smartt-Ford and Gary Guthrie were shot dead, was last year removed from Streatham High Road after residents complained.

“I am aware how some people might react,” he said.

“For this reason I will make the game less violent and give it a positive message for young people.”

The game will not include real life characters from the area, but some of his friends from the area will provide voices for the characters.

He said he had not yet approached shops about using their names and hoped it would not be a problem.

The Grand Theft Auto title will also be changed because of copyright issues.

While he hopes the game will become a cult classic, he said he was not sure yet if he wanted to become a full time game designer.

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