Gangstar Vegas’ PVP mode

As many gamers await the release of Grand Theft Auto, the demand for similar-ish crime games is at an all time high. Partly due to the delays that Rockstar keeps throwing at us. While searching for games like GTA, you’ll hear names like Sleeping Dogs, Saints Row, and even Gangstar Vegas. GTA’s mobile challenger.

Unlike Sleeping Dogs, and the rest of them… Gangstar Vegas is only available on mobile devices (Android and iOS). Which means that – its designed to work on touchscreen, and within the limited confines of mobile gaming.

In 2022, the developers decided to add a PVP system, which was unusually different.

Gangstar Vegas’ AI/bot system

Gangstar Vegas’ approach to PVP involves going up against an AI-powered version of a player. The “bot” can race you, or go up against you in a challenge, while using the player’s loadout, and other settings taken from a real player. So, you are not going against each other in real time. But, instead, you’ll be going up against somekind of a “ghost version” of another player. Which is different from the recent Sony patent, but a “ghost” non the less.

And, if you win, you gain points. Or lose points, if you lose.

Needless to say – some gamers were left disappointed by this approach to PVP.

Personally, it leaves me wondering – (with all this skill) why on earth have dev studios stopped focusing on bots, offline bots. Ones that come as teammates or opponents. Why would studios rather package their tech as “PVP” instead of offline bots (like they used to, back in the golden age).