You can now play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City directly in a modern web browser thanks to a new DOS.Zone tech demo that runs the game using an open‑source reimplementation of the original engine, compiled to WebAssembly. I am amazed to see GTA Vice City in a browser.
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What exactly has launched?
A browser-based version of GTA Vice City is now live as a non-commercial technology demo hosted on DOS.Zone. It is based on the community-made reimplementation of the original game engine called reVC, which has been adapted to run efficiently in browsers via WebAssembly.
This demo is not the Definitive Edition; it uses the classic 2002 release, preserving the original visuals, physics, and overall feel of the game.
How GTA Vice City runs in a browser
Developers have taken the open-source reverse-engineered code of Vice City (reVC) and compiled it for the web, replacing low-level systems to work with WebAssembly and modern browser APIs. Rendering, input handling, audio, and file access were redesigned so that the game can run smoothly without any native installation on Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile platforms.
Only around 50–60 MB of initial data is loaded to start the demo; the rest of the content streams in the background as you play, which keeps startup time very short.
Features: platforms, controls, and saves
The browser port works on desktop PCs and smartphones, as long as the device has a reasonably modern browser and internet connection. On desktop, you can use keyboard and mouse or a gamepad, while on mobile you also get touch controls overlaid on the screen.
DOS.Zone also supports progress saving, either locally or via its own cloud system, allowing you to quit and resume the demo later without losing your gameplay. Aspect ratio and resolution options are available, so the game scales correctly on ultra‑wide monitors and various screen sizes.
Demo vs full game and legal status
By default, DOS.Zone gives free access to a limited demo area where you can freely roam the first section of Vice City. To play the full story campaign inside the browser, you must provide your own original game files, which the system uses to verify that you legally own the game.
The project is non-commercial and is not officially affiliated with Rockstar Games; it is a community tech showcase built on top of open-source engine work and reverse‑engineered code.
How to try Vice City in your browser
- Visit the DOS.Zone page for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, where the tech demo is hosted.
- Click the demo/start button; your browser will go full-screen, download the initial data, and boot into the game world within seconds.
- Optionally connect a gamepad or configure keyboard and mouse bindings for a more comfortable experience once the game has loaded.
GTA Vice City’s browser demo on DOS.Zone has specific limitations to ensure it’s a legal tech showcase rather than a full pirated game.
Key Limitations
The free demo restricts access to only the initial beach area of Vice City for open-world exploration, without story missions or full map access. To unlock the complete game—including all missions, islands, and assets—users must supply their own original game files (like the .exe and data folders from a legitimate copy), which the browser verifies for ownership.
No mods, cheats, or custom content are supported out-of-the-box, and performance may vary on low-end devices due to WebAssembly overhead, especially with streaming assets. Saves work via local storage or DOS.Zone cloud, but progress doesn’t transfer to official Rockstar versions.
Why These Restrictions Exist
These measures promote legal play by requiring proof of ownership, avoiding copyright issues with Rockstar Games, and positioning the project as a non-commercial engine demo. It’s not the remastered Definitive Edition, sticking to the original 2002 engine for authenticity but lacking modern enhancements like improved graphics or ray tracing