The universes of Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto's 2D, 3D and HD universes explained: which games share the same continuity and what connects one era to the next.

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Canon

GTA universes

2D, 3D and HD are not the same continuity

Image of 2D Universe via GTA Wiki — GTA Wiki - 2D Universe

1997-1999

4 games in continuity

2D Universe

The series' top-down phase: more arcade, more anarchic and less dependent on deep narrative continuity.

Games: Grand Theft Auto, GTA: London 1969, GTA: London 1961, Grand Theft Auto 2
Rule: Characters are avatars or barely developed figures., The priority is freedom, scoring and criminal escalation., London 1969 and London 1961 are rare incursions outside the United States.

Continuity ›

Image of 3D Universe via GTA Wiki — GTA Wiki - 3D Universe

2001-2006

6 games in continuity

3D Universe

The classic continuity: cities, mafias, radios, recurring characters and urban satire in 3D.

Games: Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto Advance
Rule: Claude, Tommy, CJ, Toni, Vic, and Mike belong to this continuity., Liberty City, Vice City and San Andreas become recognizable places, with geography, factions and memory., Cross-references exist, but the HD era restarts the main continuity.

Continuity ›

Image of HD Universe via GTA Wiki — GTA Wiki - HD Universe

2008-presente

6 games in continuity

HD Universe

The modern continuity: denser worlds, contemporary satire, physical realism and GTA Online as a living platform.

Games: Grand Theft Auto IV, Episodes from Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Grand Theft Auto V
Rule: Characters from previous universes may be referenced as easter eggs, they don't necessarily coexist., The satire targets capitalism, media, police, federal agencies, celebrity, technology, and social media., GTA Online evolves the Los Santos chronology after 2013.

Continuity ›

Reading rule:Characters from different universes may appear as a reference, joke or cultural echo, but this does not confirm coexistence in the same canon.