Uncovering the Hidden Phil Collins Concert in a Lesser-Known GTA Game

Welcome back to our semi-regular column, Stealing Cars, where we dive into the latest happenings in the world of Grand Theft Auto 6. Today, we’re admiring the stunning car designs in GTA 6, catching up on the Florida Joker saga, sharing tips to steer clear of scams, and reminiscing about the Phil Collins concert in GTA: Vice City Stories.

It’s hard to label any GTA title as forgotten, given the franchise’s massive popularity. However, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories feels like an overlooked gem, especially since it has only seen one port. Originally launched on PSP in 2006, it made its way to PS2 in 2007 but hasn’t been revisited since, leaving it in the shadows while other titles bask in the limelight.

While classics like GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas enjoy multiple ports and remasters, Vice City Stories has been left behind. Even Liberty City Stories, which came out on PSP before VCS, has made its way to Android and iOS, highlighting the disparity.

It’s unfortunate that Vice City Stories, a game that arguably surpasses the original Vice City in gameplay and offers a broader selection of weapons and vehicles, has faded from memory. It features one of the most memorable moments in the series: Phil Collins performing “In the Air Tonight” live on stage. This isn’t a parody; it’s the real deal, with Collins belting out one of his biggest hits in a PSP game. It’s a surreal experience that’s hard to believe happened back in 2006. Until Rockstar decides to port Vice City Stories to PC or other platforms, experiencing this moment in-game will be a challenge.

As Vice City Stories celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and with GTA 6 set in Vice City on the horizon, I’m feeling nostalgic for those earlier titles that captured Rockstar’s unique take on 1980s Miami. The vibes were truly something special.

Now, let’s check in on the Florida Joker, the infamous guy with face tattoos who went viral after his court appearance. Rockstar included a parody of him in the first GTA 6 trailer, which led to a brief legal threat from him, demanding $2 million. He later dropped that and instead asked Rockstar to hire him as a voice actor for the character.

What’s he up to now? He’s been posting dance videos on Instagram to his 80,000+ followers. Recently, after the announcement that GTA 6’s Ultimate Edition will cost $100, he made a humorous request for someone to send him that amount so he could pre-order the game.

“Some PayPal 100$ so I can pre-order GTA six at midnight please and thank you.” As of 24 hours later, the post had 36 likes but no comments or updates on whether he managed to secure his pre-order.

With so many eager players wanting to dive into Grand Theft Auto 6, it’s no surprise that scammers are lurking, ready to take advantage of the hype. Reports from security firms highlight various scam sites claiming to offer early access to GTA 6 or versions for PC and mobile. Most of these sites use AI-generated artwork that mimics Rockstar’s style to mislead unsuspecting fans scrolling through social media.

Please, for the love of gaming, avoid these sites at all costs. Don’t give them your money or download anything they offer. Just steer clear.

To clarify: Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with no confirmed PC version at this time. While a PC port may come eventually, there’s no early access period like some other major titles, so any shop claiming otherwise is not being truthful. Your best bet for a copy is to purchase it directly from Sony or Xbox through their digital stores or wait for a physical version. Avoiding scam sites is crucial, as they can compromise your computer, steal your information, and create a lot of unnecessary headaches that could hinder your ability to enjoy GTA 6 when it releases this winter.

I’ve already mentioned how incredible Grand Theft Auto 6 looks, and as fans have had more time to analyze screenshots, more details are emerging. The cars in GTA 6 are a significant step up from those in Grand Theft Auto V. A fan on Reddit compared the car designs to those in Forza Horizon 6, and the results were impressive.

This sentiment is echoed by a modder who shared insights on Twitter about the graphical enhancements between GTA V and GTA 6’s vehicles. They noted that returning models now feature fully 3D-rendered details, such as panel gaps, which were previously represented with 2D textures.

WiseGuy, a 3D vehicle artist and long-time modder, highlighted the major upgrades from GTA V to GTA 6, including more detailed suspension components and realistic modeling of parts like door handles. The level of detail and effort put into each car is nothing short of phenomenal, and there’s hope that this level of customization will extend to all vehicles in the game.

Stealing Cars will be back soon. We’re still figuring out the frequency of this column, and with a wave of new game releases, it might slow down a bit. But rest assured, we’ll return with more GTA 6 news and other gaming updates you’ll want to know about.