One part of what makes Grand Theft Auto succeed is that it is fun to just play and goof around in it, and to drive around. But thinking about it, we call it a game, but it actually a combination of a game and a toy. Goofing around outside of the missions = the game becomes a big set of toys to play with. Playing the missions= becomes a game setting up goals for the player to achieve. This was an element I hadn't noticed before. Would other games benefit from this mixture of freeform relatively consequence-free play combined with specific mission based challenges that have more affect on the gameworld / story / character?

GTA + Alabama = Lawsuit! =D

Actually, I've played GTA3 and Vice City. These were games that were only fun for the trasing around outside of missions, as the missions themselves were pretty anal. The games probably would have been better if the missions were always going, and in passive, and screwing up was something you had to actively attempt.

By "passive" I mean that the missions weren't so much a Go-Here-Do-That but rather events that happen based on where you go in context of other events. So that the mission never really started, and never really ends, you just have this tree of events, and they happen when you get there, rather than being yelled at by the mobster in the back seat.

This is not as new as you might think. Zelda Games have always had this feature, especially starting with A Link to the Past on SNES. Mini-games, respawning enemies, and hidden treasures all made it fun just to inhabit the world. In the spirit of GTA, True Crime had a fun "toy world" feel to it, and it added to the thrills by throwing in the occasional opportunistic challenge in the form of street crime.

The finest example of this phenomenon, in my opinion, has to be Spider-Man 2. Web-swinging is a great toy in itself, and with all the street crime, races, collecting and mini-quests to be done, you can play for hours without getting anything story-related done at all.

Other good examples could include Super Mario 64, Fable and Escape Velocity.

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Original post by Iron Chef Carnage Mini-games, respawning enemies, and hidden treasures all made it fun just to inhabit the world.

Yes, some of my favourite games are ones where it is just enjoyable to move around and do things like this. Ie. Super Mario World, play "tennis / jumprope" with the shells by kicking them in a half-pipe. Zelda: A link to the past was fun, I enjoyed running around and cutting down grass to find treasure holes, and coins hidden in the grass.

i never liked the missions in gta3 or vice city.
Let me tell you that the missions in San Andreas are a MASSIVE improovement. I absolutely love the missions in san andreas. You would be a fool not to play san andreas just because the missions in the previous games were crap.

San andreas really has pushed the boat out in terms of storyline, voice acting, and gameplay. Plus samuel jackson is on of the main part voice actors.