The Three Universes

The distinct timelines that separate the generations of Grand Theft Auto games.

Meta - The Multiverse

The distinct timelines that separate the generations of Grand Theft Auto games.

The Grand Theft Auto series is divided into three distinct universes. Characters and events from one universe generally do not exist in the others.

The 2D Universe (1997-1999)

Includes GTA 1, GTA London 1969/1961, and GTA 2. These early games established the franchise's core concept - open-world criminal gameplay - but their stories are not connected to later games.

The 3D Universe (2001-2006)

Includes GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, and Vice City Stories. These games share a connected world - characters like Salvatore Leone, Phil Cassidy, Catalina, and Ken Rosenberg appear across multiple games. Set between 1984 and 2001.

The HD Universe (2008-Present)

Includes GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, Chinatown Wars, GTA V, and GTA Online. Features a more realistic tone and detailed world. GTA VI will continue this universe.

Key facts