Claude Speed is a fictional character in the Grand Theft Auto video game series by Rockstar Games. He appears in Grand Theft Auto 2 (GTA2) as the player-controlled protagonist, prominently featured in the game's live-action film where his full name is featured in a scene.^[1] The second rendition of the character, known simply as Claude in Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III) canon, plays the same role in GTA III, and appears briefly in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA:SA) as a non-player character. Image File history File links GTAIII_player_character_(aka_Claude)_(full_body_shot). ... Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III) is an action computer and video game developed by DMA Design, published by Rockstar Games in October 2001 (see 2001 in video gaming) for the PlayStation 2 video game console, May 2002 for Windows-based personal computers (PCs), and in November 2003 for the... The current design of the Grand Theft Auto logo. ... Grand Theft Auto 2 or otherwise known as GTA2 is a video game released worldwide on October 22, 1999 by developers Rockstar North; initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation (which version is toned-down), and subsequently for the Dreamcast console, and another toned-down version for Game... Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III) is an action computer and video game developed by DMA Design, published by Rockstar Games in October 2001 (see 2001 in video gaming) for the PlayStation 2 video game console, May 2002 for Windows-based personal computers (PCs), and in November 2003 for the... Scott Maslen Scott Maslen (born London 1971) is an English actor best known for his portrayal as DS Phil Hunter in ITVs The Bill. ... A fictional character is any person who appears in a work of fiction. ... The current design of the Grand Theft Auto logo. ... It has been suggested that Multiplayer Video Games be merged into this article or section. ... The Rockstar Games logo. ... Grand Theft Auto 2 or otherwise known as GTA2 is a video game released worldwide on October 22, 1999 by developers Rockstar North; initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation (which version is toned-down), and subsequently for the Dreamcast console, and another toned-down version for Game... The protagonist or main character is the central figure of a story. ... Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III) is an action computer and video game developed by DMA Design, published by Rockstar Games in October 2001 (see 2001 in video gaming) for the PlayStation 2 video game console, May 2002 for Windows-based personal computers (PCs), and in November 2003 for the... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the fifth video game in the Grand Theft Auto series. ...

Due to similarities between both renditions' first names, manner of attire, and physical appearances, certain GTA players have come to speculate Claude Speed and Claude are the same character. There is no official indication as to whether this is true.

GTA2 rendition

Little is known about the main character of GTA2. The plot of the game basically involves him being freed from prison, having awakened from a cryonic sleep but experiences amnesia. The storyline shifts to his goal of becoming the "King of the City" by any means necessary.^[2] Cryonics (often mistakenly called cryogenics) is the practice of cryopreserving humans or animals that can no longer be sustained by contemporary medicine until resuscitation may be possible in the future. ... Amnesia or amnæsia (from Greek ) (see spelling differences) is a condition in which memory is disturbed. ...

The live-action rendition of Claude Speed, played by Scott Maslen, from the opening cinematic of Grand Theft Auto 2.

DMA Design, the primary producer of the GTA series, had released a promotional movie for the game, which was also compiled into the opening cinematic of the game, depicting a live-action rendition of Claude Speed committing several criminal acts, similar in all Grand Theft Auto games. In the movie, Claude is seen performing jobs for several crime bosses, but has been seen to show no apparent loyalty to any gang as he is seen driving a rival gang of gunners to a hangout of another gang, where a firefight would occur. By the end of the movie, Claude was shot in the back by an assassin from the Zaibatsu Corporation, whose van and merchandise were previously stolen by Claude, as he attempted to break into a sports car. Image File history File links Computer game character Claude Speed (Grand Theft Auto 2) depicted in live action, played by Scott Maslen. ... Image File history File links Computer game character Claude Speed (Grand Theft Auto 2) depicted in live action, played by Scott Maslen. ... Scott Maslen Scott Maslen (born London 1971) is an English actor best known for his portrayal as DS Phil Hunter in ITVs The Bill. ... Grand Theft Auto 2 or otherwise known as GTA2 is a video game released worldwide on October 22, 1999 by developers Rockstar North; initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation (which version is toned-down), and subsequently for the Dreamcast console, and another toned-down version for Game... Rockstar North Limited (formerly DMA Design Limited) is a Scottish developer of computer and video games located in Edinburgh, Scotland. ...

The movie's version of Claude shares a few physical appearances with the Claude in Grand Theft Auto III canon, including his attire — black jacket (made of cloth in GTA2 and leather in GTA III, GTA:SA), collar-less undershirt (white color in 2 and black in III, SA) and long pants (black color in 2 and dark khaki in III, SA) — and slicked hair. The movie version, however, was also depicted speaking and displaying an array of emotions, a characteristic not seen in either the GTA III or the GTA:SA versions. Khaki (pants) DUH! khaki means pants. ...

Scott Maslen played the movie rendition of Claude Speed.^[3] Scott Maslen Scott Maslen (born London 1971) is an English actor best known for his portrayal as DS Phil Hunter in ITVs The Bill. ...

GTA III rendition

An alternate rendition of the character is known simply as "Claude" in Grand Theft Auto III canon. While his name is never obviously disclosed in GTA III, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas hinted "Claude" as his name, as uttered by Catalina during several phone conversations. There is also evidence hidden in the GTA III's data files that the player was once allowed to enter their own character name, and the "DEFNAM" (default name) value for it was "Claude" [1]. As Claude's name was only suggested in San Andreas, many fans may consider this a retcon,^{[citation needed]} seeing as there is no evidence within GTA III's actual gaming aspect that shows the designers intended the character's name to be Claude. In the light of these revelations, there is speculation that Claude is Claude Speed. Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III) is an action computer and video game developed by DMA Design, published by Rockstar Games in October 2001 (see 2001 in video gaming) for the PlayStation 2 video game console, May 2002 for Windows-based personal computers (PCs), and in November 2003 for the... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the fifth video game in the Grand Theft Auto series. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Claude's last name is never disclosed in GTA III and GTA:SA, thus it remains unclear whether the GTA III and GTA:SA renditions of Claude is in fact the same individual as the GTA2 rendition of Claude. However, GTA III shares a few elements with GTA2 (among them, the mention of "Zaibatsu Pharmaceuticals" that is similar to the Zaibatsu Corporation gang in GTA2, the Head Radio station, and the distribution of districts in Liberty City), lending at least some credibility to this claim. To date, Rockstar has yet to clarify the connection between the two characters. Grand Theft Auto 2 or otherwise known as GTA2 is a video game released worldwide on October 22, 1999 by developers Rockstar North; initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation (which version is toned-down), and subsequently for the Dreamcast console, and another toned-down version for Game...

Appearances and role

San Andreas

Claude, as seen during his brief appearance in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Claude's first chronological appearance in the Grand Theft Auto III-era Grand Theft Auto storyline is a cameo as a thug in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, where he races against, and loses to, Carl "CJ" Johnson, all the while "pleasuring" Catalina, in 1992. After the race, Catalina informs Carl Johnson that the two of them need to keep their car to go to Liberty City, and instead of a pink slip, give him the deed to a run-down car garage in San Fierro. Image File history File links GTASA_Claude. ... Image File history File links GTASA_Claude. ... Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the fifth video game in the Grand Theft Auto series. ... Martin Scorsese appears briefly in an uncredited role in this scene from his feature film Taxi Driver. ... A Times Square look-alike in the Liberty City district of Bedford Point, Staunton, as depicted in Grand Theft Auto III. Liberty City is a fictional city in Rockstar Games computer and video game series Grand Theft Auto, which is loosely based on New York City. ... Gant Bridge, modelled after San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge. ...

After leaving for Liberty City, Catalina phones Carl Johnson at certain plot points. One phone call seemingly indicates Catalina was intending to speak to Claude, mentioning Claude's first name; another has Catalina in mid-orgasm, screaming the same first name. It has been suggested that Dry orgasm be merged into this article or section. ...

Liberty City

Claude, as seen during his meeting with Kenji Kasen in Grand Theft Auto III.

After leaving San Andreas, Claude and Catalina took part in a long string of crimes in several states. This ends in October 2001, when Catalina betrays Claude by shooting him shortly after a bank heist in Liberty City and leaves him for dead. After his arrest by the police, Claude is en route to prison when his prison transport is ambushed by Colombian Cartel commandos (who kidnap an oriental prisoner). He escapes with the help of 8-Ball, and works his way into the favor of the local Mafia. Image File history File links The unnamed player-controlled character from Grand Theft Auto III (PC version); speculated to be Claude Speed from Grand Theft Auto 2. ... Image File history File links The unnamed player-controlled character from Grand Theft Auto III (PC version); speculated to be Claude Speed from Grand Theft Auto 2. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... This article attempts to list all fictional criminal gangs in the Grand Theft Auto computer and video game series. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... This article attempts to list all fictional criminal gangs in the Grand Theft Auto computer and video game series. ...

He eventually helps destroy a large tanker of SPANK, a fictional drug that Catalina and her new accomplice Miguel are pushing around the city with the help of the Colombian Cartel. His help to the Leone family at the beginning is rewarded with a death trap, from which he is saved by Don Salvatore Leone's wife, Maria. She introduces him to Asuka Kasen, who is with the local Yakuza. To prove that Claude has completely severed ties with the Leones in favor of the Yakuza, Asuka allows him to kill Salvatore. A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... This article attempts to list all fictional criminal gangs in the Grand Theft Auto computer and video game series. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... This article attempts to list all fictional criminal gangs in the Grand Theft Auto computer and video game series. ...

Following the assassination, Claude works his way up the Yakuza ladder, gaining the favor of the Yakuza waka-gashira Kenji Kasen. He also meets a crooked cop named Ray, and Media Millionaire Donald Love. He is eventually asked to kill Kenji by Donald Love, and to frame the Colombian Cartel for the job, by driving a Cartel gang car. With Kenji dead, Asuka takes over the Yakuza, and becomes obsessed with revenge against the Cartel. She sends Claude on a number of missions to slow down the spread of SPANK in Liberty City. A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ...

Eventually, Asuka is killed, and Maria is kidnapped, with a note from Catalina left behind. Claude confronts her, kills her after a lengthy battle, and saves Maria, if only to (apparently) kill her after having to deal with her whining.

Silence

Claude is often noted for possessing qualities of a silent protagonist in GTA III, never seen or heard uttering a single word throughout his appearances (although in GTA III, he has been heard uttering mild sounds of pain when injured or killed.) During the course of the game, Maria makes a telephone call to Lazlow's show on Chatterbox FM, saying that she's met a new man but "he don't talk too much." His silence often made him the butt of jokes in the GTA fan community for not saying anything, similar to the protagonists of older video games, and in contrast to the verbose protagonists of the later GTA games, Tommy Vercetti, Carl Johnson, Toni Cipriani, and Victor Vance. Claude continued to be a silent character throughout GTA:SA; Carl Johnson himself also mentioned, and cursed, Claude's muteness in a rage after seeing the run-down garage he won from Claude. A silent protagonist is a central character who does not verbally interact with other characters within a storys narrative. ... Lazlow Jones, usually only referred to as Lazlow, is an American talk show host. ... The soundtrack of the game Grand Theft Auto III is popular not only with fans of the game, but also with lovers of mid- to late-1990s music. ... Thomas Tommy Vercetti is a fictional character, voiced by Ray Liotta, in the Grand Theft Auto video game series. ... Carl CJ Johnson is a fictional character in the Grand Theft Auto video game series, serving as the protagonist, anti-hero and player-controlled character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. ... A number of recurring characters will appear during the various missions or cutscenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. ...

Alternate names

In GTA III, Claude is only referred to as "Fido" by Maria and "Kid" by other characters. In GTA2, Claude Speed's in-game name is simply given as a myriad of nicknames from nine bosses of seven gangs:^[4] Grand Theft Auto 2 or otherwise known as GTA2 is a video game released worldwide on October 22, 1999 by developers Rockstar North; initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation (which version is toned-down), and subsequently for the Dreamcast console, and another toned-down version for Game...

• "Gecko" by all three heads (Trey Welsh, Red Valdez and Uno Carb) of the Zaibatsu Corporation.
• "Jumbo" by Elmo, head of the Loonies.
• "Kosai" by Johnny Zoo, head of the Yakuza.
• "Rooster" by Billy Bob Bean, head of the Rednecks.
• "THC-303" by Dr LaBrat, head of the SRS Scientists.
• "Comrade" by Jerkov, head of the Russian Mafia.
• "Grasshopper" by Sunbeam, head of the Hare Krishna.

See also

• Claude
• List of characters in Grand Theft Auto III

A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ... A number of recurring characters appear during the various missions or cut scenes in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Prominent characters are listed here in rough order of appearance. ...

Notes and references