A GTA-based history course will be launched in the US.

The Grand Theft Auto series is renowned not only as a cult action game, but also as a reflection of the spirit of entire eras. GTA III captures the atmosphere of the early 2000s, Vice City is set in the 1980s, and GTA IV evokes a time when internet cafes were a part of everyday life. These characteristics have been used for educational purposes.

History professor Tore Olsson of the University of Tennessee announced the launch of a US history course, starting January 20, 2026, that will be built around GTA stories. He isn't bothered by the fact that the games are set in fictional cities: for the instructor, it's simply a framework for explaining real-life events, such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which are played out in the finale of San Andreas. The satirical elements and crude humor of the earlier parts of the course will not be addressed.

The idea of ​​teaching history through video games may seem surprising, but Olsson sees it as a logical continuation of the process of popularizing pop culture. Half a century ago, courses on the history of rock 'n' roll were also considered unthinkable due to the genre's reputation, but now they're gaining popularity. It's likely that more university programs dedicated to gaming worlds will emerge in the future.

Olsson already has experience with this approach: he developed a course on Red Dead Redemption, covering the period from 1899 to 1911, and also published the book Red Dead's History, narrated by Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan in the second installment.