GTA: Discover the Grand Theft Auto multiverse and its three timelines

It’s no secret that the franchise GTA is one of the most iconic and influential in the history of video games. Over the years, the series has undergone numerous technological and narrative evolutions — and this has ended up resulting in the creation of three different multiverses: the 2D universe, the 3D universe and the HD universe.

These universes are landmarks that represent different eras in franchise history Grand Theft Auto — and how many adventures have fans had so far, right? Each of them has its own characteristics that have helped shape the experience players have and the way they interact with the series’ vast open worlds over the years.

Discover the 2D universe, the 3D universe and the HD universe of the GTA franchise

Want to know more about the franchise multiverse GTA? Then you’ve come to the right place. Discover the following three universes of the series Grand Theft Auto! In addition to dividing the games in the series, these categories also give life to the GTA “multiverse”, which has timelines that do not intersect.

Timeline of the GTA franchise universes.Source: GTA Wiki

2D Universe

The 2D universe is where it all began. It represents the first two games in the franchise. GTA: Grand Theft Auto (1997) e Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999) — as well as the expansions GTA: London 1961 (1999) e GTA: London 1969 (1999). These games had a 2D overhead view, where the player controlled the protagonists in large open cities seen from above.

Although the experience was certainly limited by the graphics of the time, these games already carried with them the essence of the series. In addition to the focus on freedom, one of the elements most valued by Rockstar to this day, players also had a selection of varied missions and, of course, a plot with an irreverent approach to crime and violence.

The 2D universe of the GTA franchise is made up of GTA, GTA: London 1961, GTA: London 1969 and GTA 2.Source: Rockstar

The cities in these games were representations of large metropolises such as Liberty City (inspired by New York), San Andreas (inspired by Los Angeles) and Vice City (inspired by Miami). In addition, the gameplay was very simple and the narrative was not as elaborate as the adventures that came later.

Even with its limitations, the 2D universe of the franchise GTA laid the foundation for what was to come and marked the introduction of core elements that have continued to define the series over the years.

3D Universe

While many terrains were still explored in the 2D universe, the 3D universe marked an unprecedented revolution — not just in the franchise, but in the gaming industry as a whole. Through the third game, players entered the modern era of 3D open-world games.

The 3D universe began with GTA 3 (2001) and also includes other iconic names from the franchise, such as GTA: Vice City (2002), GTA: San Andreas (2004) e os spin-offs Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories e Advance.

These titles massively expanded the player experience, bringing more robust gameplay full of possibilities, as well as introducing three-dimensional environments, much more elaborate plots, voice acting for the characters and greater interaction with the game world.

The 3D universe of the GTA franchise consists of GTA 3, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA Vice City Stories, GTA Liberty City Stories and GTA Advanced.Source: UNcerdoARTISTA

Em GTA 3players take control of Claude, a silent protagonist, in a 3D recreation of Liberty City. This was also the first game in the series to offer a cinematic experience, featuring much more elaborate cutscenes than previous titles.

In the best style Scarface, Vice City was based on the 1980s mafia. Meanwhile, San Andreasconsidered by many to be one of the most iconic in the franchise, raised the scale even further to offer a detailed recreation of three cities, also bringing a narrative inspired by the gang culture of the 1990s.

Well, the 3D universe stood out for the freedom it offered players, allowing them to cause chaos or pursue main missions at their own pace. In addition, the games in this universe became famous for their iconic soundtracks, which perfectly captured the eras in which they were set — fans of San Andreas let them say so!

HD Universe

Finally, the HD universe is the current stage in which the franchise GTA is found and represents the latest technological and narrative evolution of the series. He started with GTA 4 (2008), which had two expansions: Lost and Damned e The Ballad of Gay Tony — who are also part of this multiverse.

Already GTA 5 (2013), as well as GTA Online e GTA: Chinatown Warsare also part of the HD universe. Certainly, this multiverse brought games with high-definition graphics, realistic physics, even more complex plots and a lot of emotional depth — which ended up making these games immersive and truly impactful experiences.

Finally, the HD universe of the GTA franchise is made up of GTA 4 and its expansions, Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, GTA 5, GTA Chinatown Wars and GTA Online.Source: Rockstar

GTA 4 took the series to a more serious and darker tone, with the story of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant, in search of the American dream and living in the dangers of a new version of Liberty City.

Already in GTA 5 Rockstar took the formula even further by introducing three playable protagonists, each with their own stories and personalities and a vast open world to explore.

Of course, the HD universe is also home to GTA Onlinewhich has become a phenomenon in its own right. The experience offers players the opportunity to create their own characters and participate in a wide range of activities in the universe of GTA 5. To this day, the multiplayer receives robust content updates, which has certainly extended its success over the years.

How does this Grand Theft Auto multiverse connect?

Well, despite each multiverse in the franchise GTA have their own main characteristics that define them, they do not connect in any way. Sure, they share brands, cities and celebrities, but the characters “get stuck” in their respective timelines.

In the 3D universe, for example, we can see some interactions of main characters appearing in other games, as is the case of Claude (GTA 3) — who has a small role in one of the missions GTA San Andreas.

The GTA franchise’s multiverse doesn’t connect and the characters are “stuck” in their respective timelines.Source: Rockstar

In the HD universe, it was also possible to see Johnny Klebitz (from the expansion of GTA 4, Lost and Dammned), ending up on the lands of GTA 5. Well, he ends up being killed by Trevor in an unusual situation — but he still makes a brief appearance there.

Do you see how these appearances only occurred in their respective timelines? So, for example, it would be difficult to see CJ, or even Tommy Vercetti, who are from the 3D universe, making an appearance in the HD universe.

How will GTA 6 fit into the Grand Theft Auto multiverse?

Although there is speculation of a new multiverse for the franchise, in theory, GTA 6 will be part of the game’s HD universe. With this, there is a chance that we will see characters from GTA 4 e GTA 5for example, appear in the game.

Will GTA 6 create a new universe for the franchise?Source: Rockstar

However, considering the delay in the launch of GTA 6there’s also a chance that Rockstar could change these rules or set the game in a new timeline — but nothing has been confirmed so far.

Remembering that GTA 6 will be released in 2025 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Looking forward to it? Comment your expectations on the social networks of Voxel!