
3 reasons why Tommy Vercetti was the Original GTA mastermind
(Image via Rockstar Games)
GTA has always been about rising to the top by any means necessary. But before we had Michael's scheming, Niko's calculated choices, or Franklin's street-smart hustle, there was Tommy Vercetti.
The loud suit. The sharper mind. And arguably, the first real criminal mastermind in GTA history. Here are some reasons why he was the original mastermind of the GTA series.
1. He Went From Being a Hitman to Kingpin
Tommy doesn't start as a nobody — he starts as a somebody fresh out of prison. Sent to Vice City by the Liberty City mob to oversee a drug deal, Tommy instantly gets thrown into chaos. The deal goes sideways, money and drugs go missing, and now he's on the hook.
Instead of running or reporting back, Tommy decides to flip the board. He hunts down leads, takes out threats, and slowly builds his empire — all while keeping tabs on those who tried to screw him over. Mastermind energy? 100%.
How Tommy Vercetti Became The Kingpin Of Vice City
2. He Built an Empire Brick by Brick
Tommy's playbook wasn't just guns and grit; it was business. He took over nightclubs, bought strip joints, ran drug routes, and controlled property across Vice City. The dude was playing Monopoly while everyone else was stuck in Grand Theft Auto 101.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
No other GTA protagonist before him made such power moves. Tommy didn't just survive, he dominated, and by the end of the game, he wasn't answering to the mob. He was the boss.
3. He Was Ruthless, Strategic, and Untouchable
What made Tommy different? He didn't care about being flashy or famous: he wanted control. He eliminated threats like Ricardo Diaz with surgical precision. He turned enemies into allies (shoutout Lance Vance… until that betrayal), and never let loyalty blind him to power plays.
Tommy wasn't chaotic like Trevor or conflicted like Michael; he was cold, calculated, and always ten steps ahead.
The smartest protagonist in GTA Games - Tommy Vercetti | GTA Vice City
So, Was He the Original Mastermind?
Absolutely. Tommy Vercetti was the blueprint. He was the first GTA protagonist to combine brute force with smart strategy. The first to really own a city. And the first to show that in the world of GTA, brains beat bullets — if you know how to play the game. He walked into Vice City as a hired thug. He walked out as its king. Tommy didn't just play the game — he mastered it.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sushmita Sen was told to take a medicine every 8 hours for the rest of her life to survive. How she overcame health challenges and pill dependency
Sushmita Sen is no stranger to battling a health crisis. The 'Main Hoon Na' actress, who survived a massive heart attack in 2023, had been living with Addison's Disease, a rare autoimmune disorder , since 2014, and was told point-blank by her doctors that she had to take a steroid called hydrocortisone every eight hours to prolong her life. 'There is a hormone in the body called cortisol. My adrenal glands had stopped producing it. I had gone into an adrenal crisis. I was declared steroid-dependent for life,' she told Rajeev Masand in 2019. However, the actress was determined not to rely on drugs to stay alive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo Choosing a Different Path Despite the diagnosis, Sushmita wasn't willing to accept a future that relied solely on pharmaceuticals. As soon as she grasped the seriousness of her condition, she made a decisive call to her fitness trainer and asked to begin training in gymnastics—something completely out of the ordinary for someone in her condition. 'The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer... I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive.' she told Masand She expressed a strong desire to try anti-gravity workouts, a form of aerial fitness, and pushed herself to defy the limitations that doctors had placed on her. She admitted that while this approach may not be advisable for everyone, especially those battling chronic diseases, she believed that her body was trying to guide her in a different direction. She also adopted a comprehensive detox program, trying every medical protocol she could. Along with that, she reintroduced yoga, aerial exercises, and anti-gravity training into her life. These became her tools not just for survival, but for transformation. An Unbelievable Turnaround One day, her journey took a shocking turn. After she collapsed unexpectedly, Sushmita was rushed from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for emergency medical care. Following her treatment, she was released and began her journey back to Dubai. During that time, her doctor from Turkey reached out with astonishing news. He told her to stop taking the hydrocortisone. Her body had started naturally producing cortisol again. The doctor, astounded, mentioned that in his 35 years of experience, he had never seen someone with adrenal failure regain natural hormone function. He had triple-checked the test results and was still in disbelief. For Sushmita, that moment was overwhelming—like receiving a divine message she had long waited for. Her body, once written off as steroid-dependent, had fought back and healed itself in a way that stunned even the most seasoned experts. Understanding Addison's Disease: A Complete Breakdown Addison's disease is a rare yet serious medical condition that arises when the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate amounts of specific vital hormones. According to a report from Harvard Health Publishing , this disorder particularly affects the production of cortisol—a hormone that plays a central role in the body's response to stress—and aldosterone, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium and potassium. These minerals directly influence the volume of fluids in the body and help regulate blood pressure. Addison's disease falls under the category of adrenal insufficiency, where the glands don't function to their full capacity. What Causes Addison's Disease? The primary cause of Addison's disease is damage to the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular organs situated above each kidney. These glands are essential for the release of various hormones that control metabolism, manage blood pressure, and support immune system performance. In the majority of cases—up to 90 percent—this damage results from an autoimmune reaction. This means that the body's immune system, which is designed to defend against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands instead. Over time, this misguided attack impairs the glands' ability to produce hormones, leading to the development of Addison's disease. Common Warning Signs People with Addison's disease typically experience a broad range of physical symptoms, many of which are related to hormonal imbalances in the body. These symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time if not treated. They include: Persistent nausea accompanied by vomiting Pain or discomfort in the abdominal region Frequent episodes of diarrhea A noticeable reduction in hunger or interest in food Unexplained weight loss Aching in muscles and joints Involuntary muscle cramps or twitching Ongoing feelings of muscle fatigue or weakness These signs are the body's way of signaling that the adrenal glands are not functioning properly. Because many of these symptoms are also found in other medical conditions, Addison's disease is sometimes misdiagnosed or goes undetected until the symptoms become severe.


Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gangster wanted for couple's murder killed in Firozabad police encounter
In Firozabad, a notorious gangster named Raju Khan, wanted for murder and robbery, was killed in an encounter with the police early Friday. SSP Saurabh Dixit reported that Khan opened fire on officers after being cornered, leading to retaliatory fire. AGRA: A notorious gangster, wanted in murder and robbery cases, was killed in an encounter with the police in the Firozabad district in the early hours of Friday. Police said the encounter happened at a secluded place under the jurisdiction of Shikohabad Police Station, following which the accused, Raju Khan , was taken to the community health centre in Shikohabad, where he was declared dead by the doctors. SSP Firozabad Saurabh Dixit told TOI that police received an alert from an informer that Khan, wanted in murder and robbery cases, was in the area. "Police surrounded the criminal near Nova Factory and asked him to surrender, but he started firing indiscriminately at the cops. In the retaliatory fire, Khan got injured and died during treatment. We have alerted the NHRC about the incident and requested DM Firozabad to launch a probe into it," SSP Dixit said. Sharing details about Khan's criminal record, Dixit further added that he was wanted in as many as five cases of murder, loot, and attempt to murder. "On the intervening night of March 4 and 5, Khan looted and killed Munna Lal Yadav and his wife Mithlesh Yadav (both senior citizens) in Bansi Nagar of Shikohabad. A case was also filed against him in connection with the matter under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 309(6) (robbery) of the BNS at Shikohabad Police Station. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo A similar case was also filed against Khan under Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 309(6) (robbery) at Shikohabad Police Station on June 15," Dixit added. Khan used to target elderly people, and he was currently living in Agra. He would travel from Agra to commit the crimes, police said, adding that he was identified after monitoring footage from 200 CCTV cameras. DIG Agra had announced a reward of Rs 50,000, and the SSP had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for Raju Khan's arrest. After the incident, an illegal .32-bore firearm, eight live bullets, and 12 bullet shells were recovered from his possession, police said. As per Uttar Pradesh Police data, in the last eight years, the state reported 14,741 encounters, leading to the arrest of 30,293 criminals, while 234 criminals were gunned down.


Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par takes 6th biggest Hindi opening in 2025
Bollywood's 2025 box office is witnessing a vibrant run, with Vicky Kaushal's 'Chaava' leading with ₹31 crore. Salman Khan's 'Sikandar' follows with ₹26 crore, while 'Housefull 5' secures the third spot at ₹24 crore. Aamir Khan's 'Sitaare Zameen Par' opened with ₹11.7 crore, marking a decent start amidst action-packed competitors. Bollywood's box office in 2025 has been nothing short of a spectacle, with several high-profile releases setting the cash registers ringing. From action-packed extravaganzas to franchise blockbusters, the year has already seen multiple big openers. Among them, Aamir Khan 's much-anticipated Sitaare Zameen Par secured the 6th position in the list of top Day 1 openers for Hindi films this year. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' On its opening day, Sitaare Zameen Par collected Rs 11.7 crore at the domestic box office. While not a record-breaker by Aamir's past standards, it's a decent start for an emotional family drama — especially in a market currently dominated by larger-than-life actioners and franchise comedies. Here's how the top openers of 2025 stack up so far: Vicky Kaushal 's Chaava – Rs 31 crore Salman Khan 's Sikandar – Rs 26 crore Akshay Kumar 's Housefull 5 – Rs 24 crore Ajay Devgn 's Raid 2 – Rs 19.25 crore Akshay Kumar's Sky Force – Rs 12.25 crore Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par – Rs 11.7 crore Sunny Deol 's Jaat – Rs 9.5 crore Akshay Kumar's Kesari 2 – Rs 7.75 crore Rajkummar Rao 's Bhool Chuk Maaf – Rs 7 crore Leading the charge is Vicky Kaushal's period action drama Chaavabased on life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, which exploded onto screens with Rs 31 crore, marking his career-best opener. Salman Khan's Eid release Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, followed with Rs 26 crore. The tried-and-tested comedy franchise Housefull 5 claimed the third spot with Rs 24 crore, while Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 comfortably took the fourth position at Rs 19.25 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo Akshay Kumar's Sky Force landed at number five with Rs 12.25 crore, marginally ahead of Sitaare Zameen Par. Though it may not be a chart-topper, Aamir Khan's latest offering has received positive word-of-mouth, and its performance over the weekend will determine its long-term prospects at the box office. It would be interesting to see where does Sitaare Zameen Par land as far as total box office is concerned among the big releases this year.