The anticipation for GTA VI is generating a lot of excitement in the gaming community. With a release planned for 2025 , the game promises an impressive graphical leap and the return of Vice City , reigniting the hype among fans.
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But while we await the new adventure from Rockstar Games , how about diving into the franchise's history and understanding how the events of the games connect? Although the series was launched without a fixed timeline, many titles form a coherent chronology within the expanded GTA universe.
If you want to relive the experience or simply better understand the sequence of events, check out the complete timeline of the Grand Theft Auto franchise , from the 2D era to the most recent HD era games.
The 2D Era: The First Steps of Chaos
The Grand Theft Auto saga began in the 90s, with simple graphics and top-down gameplay. Despite the technical limitations, these games established the series' DNA: open world, freedom of exploration, and crime .
1 – Grand Theft Auto (1997)
🕒 Year in chronology: Undetermined (probably the 90s)
The first GTA features an unnamed protagonist who must complete criminal missions in three fictional cities: Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas . The plot is simple, but the foundation for future titles was already there.
2 – Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and London 1961 (1999)
🕒 Year in chronology: 1961 and 1969
These are expansions of the first game, transporting the action to London . Here, players take on the role of criminals in the British capital, carrying out epic heists and escapes in the style of GTA.
The 3D Era: A new beginning and deeper stories
Starting with GTA III, the series migrated to 3D , bringing charismatic characters and cinematic narratives. It is here that the franchise begins to build an interconnected universe.
3 – Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
🕒 Year in chronology: 1984
The game serves as a prequel to GTA: Vice City and follows the journey of Victor Vance , a former soldier who turns to crime to help his family. The plot depicts the early conflicts that shaped the Vice City in the 1980s.
4 – Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
🕒 Year in chronology: 1986
Inspired by the classic Scarface, this game follows Tommy Vercetti , an ex-convict who, after being betrayed, decides to build his own criminal empire in Vice City. The game is packed with references to the 80s, from the soundtrack to the cars and clothing of the time.
5 – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
🕒 Year in chronology: 1992
Considered one of the most iconic games in the franchise, GTA: San Andreas tells the story of Carl “CJ” Johnson , a young man who returns to Los Santos after his mother's death. The game explores themes such as police corruption, gangs, and rising through the ranks of crime , featuring one of the most expansive maps in the series, including the cities of Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas .
6 – Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
🕒 Year in chronology: 1998
Here, we follow Toni Cipriani , a mobster from the Leone who needs to reclaim his place in Liberty City . The plot takes place years before GTA III, showing the corruption and disputes between criminal families.
7 – Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
🕒 Year in chronology: 2001
open-world genre . The protagonist Claude seeks revenge after being betrayed by his girlfriend, Catalina . With a vibrant city teeming with crime, GTA III raised the bar for the industry and paved the way for future successes in the franchise.
The HD Era: a new universe and more realistic stories
With GTA IV, Rockstar Games redefined the franchise, creating a universe separate from previous games, focusing on even greater realism.
8 – Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
🕒 Year in chronology: 2008
The story follows Niko Bellic , a former soldier from Eastern Europe who arrives in Liberty City in search of the "American dream." The game features a more mature plot, exploring the consequences of crime and the difficulties of illegal immigration.
9 – Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned (2009)
🕒 Year in chronology: 2008
An expansion for GTA IV, it puts players in the role of Johnny Klebitz , a member of the biker gang The Lost MC. The game offers a new perspective on crime in the city, focusing on disputes between rival gangs.
10 – Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
🕒 Year in chronology: 2008
Another expansion for GTA IV, it shows the life of Luis Lopez , bodyguard of the influential businessman Tony Prince . Here, the game explores the world of parties and high-level crime in Liberty City .
11 – Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
🕒 Year in chronology: 2013
With three playable protagonists – Michael, Franklin, and Trevor – GTA V became a worldwide phenomenon. The story addresses themes such as corruption, betrayal, and ambition, while players explore Los Santos and Blaine County .
In addition to the story mode, the game introduced GTA Online , allowing players to create their own characters and participate in missions in an open-world multiplayer environment.
What can we expect from the future of GTA?
Now that you know the entire chronology of the franchise, the anticipation for GTA VI only increases!
Rumors suggest the game will bring back Vice City , along with a larger map and a more immersive experience than ever before. While we await more information, revisiting previous titles can be a great way to prepare for the new adventure.
Ultimately, Grand Theft Auto is not just a game series – it's a cultural phenomenon that continues to evolve and surprise with each release.