A modder made the original 1997 GTA run perfectly on modern PCs and Steam Deck

Original Grand Theft Auto – the top-down criminal chaos simulator that started it all back in 1997 – has long been a headache for anyone trying to play it on modern hardware. Rockstar pulled the game from digital storefronts like Steam early last decade, and existing mods and emulation attempts barely got the job done. Now a modder going by LukeStorm has tackled the problem head-on, assembling a package called GTA Ready2Play – a portable "time capsule" that runs on modern PCs and Steam Deck without any hassle.

For LukeStorm, this wasn't some grand mission – more of a hobby that evolved into digital preservation.

This is a true passion project – preparing old games in my Ready2Play style. My Ready2Play bundles everything needed for easy launching without setup and classic installation on modern Windows systems. A custom-made portable launcher ensures the game is ready to play at any time.

I wanted to have GTA as a Windows version with the best possible compatibility and without classic installation in my Ready2Play style – that was my only idea. For a long time it was unclear whether I would release Ready2Play in this form at all.

The process was far from smooth. One issue was the lack of menu audio when launching the game without the intro. A widescreen resolution patch was also needed, and DirectDraw required a complete overhaul to function on modern systems at all. Another modder – FunkyFr3sh – stepped in, updating DirectDraw and helping fix a number of issues.

The main strength of Ready2Play is its balance between faithfulness to the original and modern compatibility fixes. LukeStorm notes a commitment to preserving the essence of the original Grand Theft Auto, including all content from the base game and both expansions. Anything that could noticeably alter the game's behavior is tucked behind toggles in the launcher.

Portability and readiness to play at any moment without setup and classic installation – that is exactly the goal. I don't like fixed installations at all, let alone cases where you have to install something additional. Of course, a Ready2Play the way I envision it requires a lot of effort, but I do it with pleasure and passion.

The final package includes the base game, both expansions, language options, widescreen resolution support, audio fixes, restored menu sounds, updated DirectDraw handling, and a custom portable launcher.

As for the future, LukeStorm considers Ready2Play complete. Updates will only come if they add real value in terms of compatibility, stability, or new functionality.

The package can be downloaded here.