Fans often feel a natural inclination to organize and unify their favorite narratives, a tendency reinforced by the serialized nature of television, comics, and film sequels. However, this approach doesn't quite fit the Grand Theft Auto series.
While Rockstar Games officially divides the GTA timeline into three distinct eras—the 2D era (Grand Theft Auto and its expansions), the 3D era (GTA 3 through San Andreas), and the HD era (GTA 4, 5, 6, and Online)—these divisions primarily serve to explain away discrepancies between games. Characters like Claude, who appear in both the 2D and 3D eras, are confirmed to be different individuals. The eras share some elements, such as locations and the recurring radio host Lazlow, but their narratives remain unconnected.
Within each era, there is a clear chronological sequence of events without significant contradiction. While these games can coexist within a timeline, the value of such a connection is debatable, particularly for newcomers looking to jump into titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
This approach to storytelling is not entirely unique. The Legend of Zelda series, for instance, features a similar structure. While some games are direct sequels, the majority offer variations on a theme, presenting a new legend with familiar characters in different roles. This allows each game to function as a self-contained story, contributing to a larger mythos rather than a rigid chronology.
Grand Theft Auto, like many role-playing games such as The Elder Scrolls, is fundamentally about starting fresh and building oneself up. Protagonists often begin at the bottom or are established figures looking to reclaim a position, allowing players to progress alongside them. This design philosophy aligns with GTA's satirical yet affectionate portrayal of the American dream—a narrative of limitless self-actualization that necessitates self-contained beginnings for each installment.
Despite the standalone nature of each game's core narrative, the loose continuity does add a sense of depth and lived-in authenticity to the world. The expansions for Grand Theft Auto 4, 'The Lost and Damned' and 'The Ballad of Gay Tony,' effectively illustrate this by providing glimpses into concurrent events in Liberty City. While character crossovers between main titles are rare, instances like Johnny Klebitz from 'The Lost and Damned' appearing in Grand Theft Auto 5 do occur. More commonly, the series employs subtle cameos and passing references.
This method of world-building can be compared to the approach of crime novelist Elmore Leonard, whose standalone novels often featured recurring background characters or even protagonists, lending a sense of familiarity and authenticity. This 'collage' effect, rather than a strict timeline, allows each Grand Theft Auto story to be enjoyed independently, while subtly enhancing the overall experience through their shared, albeit loosely connected, universe.