The Ultimate Guide to Unraveling the Complex Timelines of the GTA Games

Grand Theft Auto, a pillar of the video game industry for over two decades, has captured the hearts of fans since its debut. While fans eagerly await news about the highly anticipated sixth installment, it appears that the release of the next game will be delayed. Despite this, fans can still delve into the extensive library of Grand Theft Auto titles and explore the most influential games of their respective generations.

Although most people associate Grand Theft Auto with the third-person perspective of today's crime simulators, the series actually started with an arcade-style isometric presentation. The top-down view, as seen in games like Chinatown Wars, characterized the early entries of the series and was known as the 2D Timeline. However, the continuity that modern players are familiar with didn't begin until Grand Theft Auto 3.

GTA’s 3D Universe Timeline

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Fans enjoy drawing connections between the newer and older titles; however, it should be noted that the games released before Grand Theft Auto 4 existed in a distinct 3D universe. This distinction becomes apparent when comparing the depiction of Liberty City in the 3D era with later installments.

A noteworthy example is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (1984), which interestingly tells the story of Vic Vance before the events in the rest of the series.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (1986) - Tommy Vercetti's thrilling escapades took place in the 80s, serving as a sequel to the third installment of the main series.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (1992) - Departing from the East Coast, CJ's iconic journey offered a nostalgic conclusion for Vice City's beloved characters.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (1998) - Underrated and often overlooked, this prequel for the PSP follows Toni Cipriani's story and seamlessly continues the captivating arc of Salvatore Leone.

Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001) - A groundbreaking release, this title uniquely unfolds in the same year of its launch. Embark on the influential journey of silent protagonist Claude, which set the stage for the prequels that would ensue.

GTA’s HD Universe Timeline

Grand Theft Auto 4 marked the beginning of the HD universe timeline, particularly with the introduction of Niko Bellic in a vastly different Liberty City compared to Claude's era. Rockstar continued this trend with Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City (2008), presenting the stories of Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez in The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, respectively. What sets these releases apart is that they all occur concurrently within the HD universe timeline. There are moments where the paths of all three protagonists intersect and clash, and each title in Liberty City takes place during the autumn of 2008.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009) - With its unique isometric perspective, the tale of Huang Lee in Chinatown Wars shines as an underappreciated gem set in the distinct realm of the Triads.

Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013) - In contrast to its predecessors, this generation introduced three protagonists, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor, who left their indelible mark within a single game. With a captivating storyline that intricately connected its characters, this game offered a fresh and contemporary take on the heist genre, only briefly referencing the year 2004 in its prologue.

Grand Theft Auto Online (2013-Present) - Continuously updated for a decade, the online version of Grand Theft Auto 5 has consistently aligned with real-world events through its numerous updates.

Considering that Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to be based in the present era, the future trajectory of the series is uncertain.