It wouldn’t be complete if GTA fans didn’t know the sequence of GTA game storyline – set in 1984 and the latest will be set in 2025/2026.
The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game series is one of the most successful products released by Rockstar Games, aside from Red Dead Redemption. Fans of this game are currently eagerly awaiting the launch of GTA 6, which is planned for 2025.
There are three universes in the GTA series, namely the 2D Universe, 3D Universe, and HD Universe. This time, we will discuss the GTA chronology based on the order of the in-game timeline.
However, we will only discuss the timeline of the 3D Universe and the HD Universe. These two universes are connected although the stories are not intertwined.
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GTA Game Storyline Order by Timeline
1. GTA: Vice City Stories
GTA: Vice City Stories was launched in 2006, but the plot takes place in 1984. The story begins when Victor Vance arrives in Vice City to start a new life after leaving his military career.
There, Victor Vance gets involved in crime. This game tells the events before GTA: Vice City.
2. GTA: Vice City
In 2002, GTA: Vice City was released as the second sequel in the GTA game series for sixth generation consoles. Set in 1986, the game successfully created the atmosphere of the 1980s Miami city they were parodying.
The story centers on Tommy Vercetti who has just been released from prison and is involved in the Vice City crime scene. In addition, the game also introduces the character Victor Vance from GTA: Vice City Stories.
3. GTA: San Andreas
This highly acclaimed game takes place in San Andreas (California) in 1992, or six years after the events that took place in Vice City.
The game itself was released in October 2004. The story follows the journey of Carl Johnson who returns to Los Santos after living in Liberty City.
After his mother died, CJ had to undergo a series of tasks to protect his family and reclaim his gang’s territory from the Ballas group.
4. GTA: Liberty City Stories
The game, released in 2005, takes place in Liberty City (New York) in 1998, or six years after the events of San Andreas.
The story follows the journey of Toni Cipriani who returns to Liberty City after the murder of an influential mobster. The events in this game take place several years before the events that took place in GTA III.
5. GTA 3
GTA III’s story takes place in 2001, which is also the year of the game’s release. GTA III is the first installment in the franchise to utilize 3D graphics.
The story centers on a character named Claude, who is involved in conspiracies, revenge, and crime in Liberty City. Claude has also appeared in a mission scene in GTA: San Andreas.
6. GTA 4
In 2008, when the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles were released, the GTA series entered the HD Universe era. GTA 4 is set in Liberty City in the same year.
The story begins with Niko Bellic’s arrival in Liberty City with the aim of seeking his fortune, engaging in criminal activities, and pursuing his own ambitions.
In addition, GTA IV also has two expansion packs, namely The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.
Both also take place in 2008. The Lost and Damned’s story centers on Johnny Klebitz, a member of The Lost MC who struggles to protect his club from threats inside and out.
Meanwhile, The Ballad of Gay Tony tells the adventures of Luis Lopez, a businessman who is also involved in the criminal underworld in Liberty City.
7. GTA 5
GTA V’s story takes place in 2013, which is the same year the game was released. Therefore, the atmosphere in GTA V feels like it takes us back to 2013. The game’s story centers on three main characters who have different traits and backgrounds.
The main characters in this game are Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and Trevor Philips. They are involved in various illegal activities in the city of Los Santos, including robbing banks and coming into conflict with various criminal gangs.
In this game, there is also Johnny Klebitz who is a character from Grand Theft Auto IV. Johnny appears in one mission scene involving Trevor Philips.
8. GTA 6
As shown in the official trailer, GTA 6 is scheduled for release in 2026. Although there has been no official announcement from Rockstar regarding the year in which the story will take place, it is likely that the setting of GTA 6 will take place in 2025-2026.
GTA 6 is set in Vice City and features two main characters named Lucia and Jason. Based on the trailer, Jason and Lucia realize that their lives will never run smoothly.
When a small robbery suddenly turns into a disaster, the two are caught up in a grand scheme involving an entire fictitious region called Leonida, a Florida-inspired location.
In the midst of this complicated situation, they must depend on each other to survive. The trailer shows Jason rescuing Lucia from prison. Soon, however, the two are forced to reengage in criminal activities, but things don’t go as planned and their situation becomes increasingly complex.
That’s the order of 8 GTA games based on the year they happened. Of the GTA games above, which one do you like the most?
