Sumo (Japanese: スモ) is a Japanese electronics company featured in Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto Online, and due to appear in Grand Theft Auto VI.
Description
The Sumo brand is most notable as the manufacturer of Claude's Sumo Wordman pager in GTA III, but can also be spotted in multiple locations in the aforementioned games. The company's slogan, "The Industry Heavyweight", is a reference to sumo wrestling.
Sumo billboards are present in GTA III in Staunton Island and Shoreside Vale. In addition, the Sumo logo can be found on certain Yankee trucks in GTA III and use Bensons in GTA Vice City. In GTA San Andreas, Sumo is known to operate in a building at the LVA Freight Depot in Las Venturas, San Andreas, and Sumo sponsorship stickers are also present on Hotring Racers cars. Sumo cameras are advertised on the Starland Camera Centre store on Vinewood Boulevard, Market, Los Santos.
Sumo is briefly mentioned in Grand Theft Auto IV, appearing on the signage of both B&J Color TV branches in Berchem, Alderney, and Hove Beach, Broker, along with Panoramic.
In Grand Theft Auto Online, the company's banners can be found in Benny's Original Motor Works, suggesting the company also specializes in car parts. Looted Sumo headphones, known as "Ear Bleeds", can also be stored and sold by organizations.
In Grand Theft Auto VI, a Sumo outdoor condenser unit can be seen attached to the exterior wall of a building in Stockyard in the first trailer. A Sumo speaker can also be found in Real Dimez' recording studio in an official screenshot.
Influence
The 3D Universe rendition of Sumo is evidently based on Sony, with further influence from Samsung, whereas the Sumo mobile phone is based on the Ericsson R520m. The Grand Theft Auto Online rendition of Sumo includes likely added influence from Philips. The Sumo typeface itself is also seemingly inspired by Sony.
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the B&J Color TV business is a rendition of the real-life J&R Color TV store in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which displays a sign advertising Panasonic and Sony products.[1] In the game, the name "Sony" is changed to "Sumo" in the signage texture, which appears to substantiate the company's inspiration.
Gallery
Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto Online
Grand Theft Auto VI
Trivia
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Ear Bleeds headphones use a very unusual connector, different from a standard TRS (mini-jack) connector.
- The name of the Ear Bleeds headphones is a hint at the consequences of frequent use of headphones.