Is the protagonist of GTA2 actually called Claude Speed?

[Fabrix199]

This subject never got adressed by anyone, thing is everyone assumed the protagonist of GTA2 was called Claude Speed because the protagonist in "GTA2 Movie" (who dies in the end) it's called Claude Speed. In game, we never get any hint as who are we playing as, the manual defines you (the protagonist) as a "mongrel" (a nobody), also there is this one fragment: SELECT A CHARACTER Before you enter yourself into the action, you must choose your agent of defile. It's said to be a leftover from the first GTA, can't agree or disagree, that is hard to proof. (check teh manual)

 

So, I want to see what other people opinions are, and if possible reach to a consensus.

 

We can back that the protagonist in GTA2 it's actually Claude Speed by assuming both protagonist in The Movie and the game are the same character because... why would they name him in the movie and later in game not. But that leaves us with the question why the in game protagonist doesn't have a name, every boss just names him as they please and it's never stated anywhere (game files, text) what his name is, it only goes as far as naming him "Player".

 

In the other side, the protagonist in game is not the same seen in The Movie because there's no nexus in between, The Movie it's a teaser of the game displaying with real actors the feel of the game and that's that, also Claude Speed dies in the movie (unless you consider he respawned...).

 

What do you think?

[Limefong]

GTA 2's protagonist is called Claude Speed.

and the GTA III's protagonist is just Claude.

 

[KGBeast]

3 hours ago, Limefong said:

GTA 2's protagonist is called Claude Speed.

and the GTA III's protagonist is just Claude.

 

It's the same character. Rockstar doesn't use his full name often but it does happen. A long time ago they had a Facebook quiz that confirmed his last name is Speed. It's down now but you can see a screenshot in this thread. Claude's model in III is heavily based on his appearance in the GTA2 live action short (portrayed by Scott Maslen). 

 

 

https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/2111/which-grand-theft-auto-character-are-you-application-for-faceboo.html

 

[Sektor]

On 7/1/2020 at 8:15 AM, Fabrix199 said:

it's never stated anywhere (game files, text) what his name is, it only goes as far as naming him "Player".

In the bil.mis mission script (third level), the player is called Shaft. The source for the other levels was never released, so I'm curious if he player is named differently in those.

 

PLAYER_PED shaft = ( 44.5 , 102.0 , 2.0 ) 25 0

 

Billy Thomson wrote that mission script, not sure why he named the player Shaft, I assume he was just a fan of the 1971 movie. Billy is on twitter, I guess someone could ask him https://twitter.com/billythomson75

 

There's a talk with some of the GTA1/GTA2 scripters here, they are funny guys:

 

In no way do I consider the Shaft name canon, I'm just saying it IS in the files. As far as I'm concerned, his name is Claude Speed.

Edited July 11, 2020 by Sektor

[Yutes of Cards]

3 hours ago, Sektor said:

In the bil.mis mission script (third level), the player is called Shaft. The source for the other levels was never released, so I'm curious if he player is named differently in those.

 

Probably, but its unknown if its his beta name if its so then probably industrial district went through the biggest changes and longest time.

[Fabrix199]

I think I have read that somewhere, but didn't count/forgot it, also we are losing the point here because this is about Claude Speed.

 

The protagonist of the movie it's with no doubt called Claude Speed, now the only source claiming the protagonist we play as Claude Speed is this one. GTA2 was announced May 27 as seen in this article, Game Informer published its article in 06.17.99, is the oldest source (therefore maybe the first) to give a peek at GTA2 (even mentions the cryogenic sleep, but not Claude).

 

The only reason we can call the protagonist we play as Claude Speed it's the movie, wich was puslished somewhere between the first announcement and Jun 19, as seen here, somehow from there we all started to think they are the same character, and as is well mentioned in this this article, there's isn't any plot, and also no specific protagonist, just a random criminal trying to get a name, as stated by Sam Houser in the first announcement article, gameplay was all along the most important thing, not so much the rest.

 

Although, we can't conclude with that, the writter of the movie was Dan Houser, he must know better. I can only assume it was a name for that specific character and everybody considered canon to the game, the rest it's history.

 

[Cerium]

On 7/11/2020 at 4:01 AM, Sektor said:

In the bil.mis mission script (third level), the player is called Shaft. The source for the other levels was never released, so I'm curious if he player is named differently in those.

 

PLAYER_PED shaft = ( 44.5 , 102.0 , 2.0 ) 25 0

 

Billy Thomson wrote that mission script, not sure why he named the player Shaft, I assume he was just a fan of the 1971 movie. Billy is on twitter, I guess someone could ask him https://twitter.com/billythomson75

 

There's a talk with some of the GTA1/GTA2 scripters here, they are funny guys:

 

In no way do I consider the Shaft name canon, I'm just saying it IS in the files. As far as I'm concerned, his name is Claude Speed.

It's cool to see the creator of the Residential area of GTA2. I always loved that stage.