Payback (2001 video game)

* Game Cover
* Game Icon

> ***Unwanted by society. Wanted by authority. - Payback***
>
>

**Payback** is a 2001 *GTA Clone* developed and published by Apex Designs.

## Gameplay

The gameplay of the game closely resembles Grand Theft Auto and no "car selling" feature, no easter eggs, less cars, more weapons and maps are being obvious differences.

## Development and Publishing

It was originally a fan's project to make an Amiga clone of the *Grand Theft Auto*. In the author's own words, "..*every effort has been made to ensure that Payback beats GTA in every way.*"

While the game resembled GTA and replicated car names like "Mundaneo", Rockstar took no action to stop Apex Designs from distributing the game or caution them about potential copyright infringement.

The game underwent expansion that led to its commercial release. In 2002, Apex Designs revealed intentions to port it to Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and the Game Boy Advance (GBA). The Mac version promptly debuted, yet details regarding the release date of the Windows version remain unknown. Subsequently, a version for the GP2X handheld became available.

Completion of the GBA version also occurred, though Apex Designs sought a publisher. Eventually, in late 2004, DSI Games undertook the role of publisher.

On December 29, 2008, Apex Designs announced iOS version of Payback, which was later launched on January 28, 2009. And contains all the attributes of the GP2X version. Although developers initially set a release date of January 15, a bug necessitated a postponement to January 28. A detailed report about the development process is accessible on their website. The iOS version includes better *lightmaps*.

## Reception

In 2012, the iOS version of *Payback* was given a 7.2 star rating by a IGN user *Levi Buchanan* .

On GameSpot, the game got a average rating of 8 based on 26 ratings.

On MobyGames, the game got a average rating of 6.9 based on 20 ratings.

## Sequels and Discontinuation

A sequel to Payback, *Payback 2* was released for iOS devices on 4th October 2012.

The last update for iOS, *v1.20*, was released on 21 April 2013, and somewhere around 2015, the game *disappeared* from the iTunes for *unknown reasons*, and going to the official link results in a *infinite* "Connect" screen.

In late 2019 the author of the games, James Daniels, confirmed that Payback 3 is in development and was set to release in late 2022 on iOS and Android devices. The game has since been postponed twice, to late 2023 and then late 2024.

## Trivia

* Just like the GTA, missions are taken through phones, and the main character continues to hear the "talking sounds" even after moving far away from the phone booth.
* The game supports four-player multiplayer deathmatch. It's not much known of how it should have worked.
* The Game Boy Advance version includes eleven cities.
* The Amiga and Macintosh versions don't include any radio songs. GBA has got only 3 radio songs, while iOS and GP2X versions had 19.
* Radio songs are completely random each time player enters a car, even if they re-enter same car.
* In various iOS/GP2X game versions, music consistently played, not limited to the car alone.
* The Amiga version allowed to make custom deathmatch maps. GBA version only includes a slightly modified Isla Nublar map as an unlockable bonus.

## Gallery

Payback iPhone-iPod Touch Official VideoOfficial iOS Version Trailer/CommercialPayback iPhone-iPod Touch Official Video 2Official iOS Version Trailer/Commercial 2Payback - commercial gp2x gameOfficial GP2X Version Trailer/CommercialGame Boy Advance Longplay -193- PaybackUnofficial GBA GameplayPayback - The Original Amiga GameUnofficial Amiga GameplayPayback (iPhone - iPod Touch) Mobile ReviewUnofficial iOS Gameplay
## References

1. ↑ (Partly)
2. ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/04/payback-iphone-review
3. ↑ https://www.gamespot.com/games/payback-2001/reviews/
4. ↑ https://www.mobygames.com/game/14462/payback/reviews/
5. ↑ (Or was removed)
6. ↑ (Possibly for the Rockstar's possible copyright, as was said above)
7. ↑ From the official Payback reviews page: https://www.apex-designs.net/payback\_quotes.html ("Buy now!" Button)
8. ↑ *Confirmed by James Daniels*

## Links

* Official Game Page
* Custom Maps List
* On ESRB