Mooncake
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The 2D Universe (1997-1999)
- The 3D Universe (2001-2006)
- The HD Universe (2008-Present)
- Conclusion
- The Journey of Grand Theft Auto: A Visual Timeline
Introduction
The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, developed by Rockstar Games, stands as one of gaming's most influential and successful franchises. The GTA timeline spans three distinct eras: the 2D Universe, the 3D Universe, and the HD Universe. Each timeline operates independently, though they share common elements like brand names and certain background elements.
The 2D Universe (1997-1999)
The series began with simple top-down gameplay but established many of the franchise's core elements:
- Grand Theft Auto (1997): The original game that started it all, featuring multiple protagonists across Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City.
- GTA: London 1969 (1999): The first expansion pack, taking players to 1960s London with a distinctly British flavor.
- GTA: London 1961 (1999): A prequel expansion to London 1969, further exploring the swinging sixties.
- GTA 2 (1999): Set in the retro-futuristic Anywhere City, introducing gang reputation systems and enhanced gameplay mechanics.
The 3D Universe (2001-2006)
This era marked a major shift to 3D graphics and cinematic storytelling:
- GTA III (2001): The groundbreaking shift to 3D, following Claude's revenge in Liberty City. This game changed open-world gaming.
- GTA: Vice City (2002): Set in 1986, following Tommy Vercetti's rise to power in a neon-soaked Miami-inspired city. Notable for its 80s atmosphere and soundtrack.
- GTA: San Andreas (2004): Set in 1992, following Carl "CJ" Johnson across a massive state-sized map. Introduced RPG elements like character customization and skills.
- GTA: Liberty City Stories (2005): A prequel to GTA III, following Toni Cipriani's story in 1998 Liberty City.
- GTA: Vice City Stories (2006): Set in 1984, telling Victor Vance's story before the events of Vice City.
The HD Universe (2008-Present)
This era brought photorealistic graphics and more grounded storytelling:
- GTA IV (2008): Following Niko Bellic's pursuit of the American Dream in Liberty City, featuring a darker, more realistic tone.
- GTA IV: The Lost and Damned (2009): A parallel story following Johnny Klebitz and his biker gang.
- GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009): Another parallel story focusing on nightclub manager Luis Fernando Lopez.
- GTA: Chinatown Wars (2009): A return to top-down perspective with modern gameplay mechanics, set in Liberty City.
- GTA V (2013): The most successful entry to date, featuring three playable protagonists in Los Santos. Continuously updated through GTA Online.
- GTA VI (Fall 2025): The most highly anticipated entry in the series, coming after a 12-year wait. Curious about what's coming? Check out our detailed breakdown in GTA6: Everything We Know So Far.
Conclusion
Looking back, it's amazing to see how far GTA has come. What started as a basic top-down game where you just ran around causing chaos has grown into this massive cultural phenomenon that changed gaming forever. With each new era, Rockstar didn't just improve the graphics - they pioneered new ways to tell stories in games, created more immersive worlds, and weren't afraid to push buttons with their sharp social commentary. They basically wrote the playbook for open-world games that everyone else follows today. The upcoming release is set to be so significant that many are wondering Will GTA6 Be the Biggest Distraction of 2025 and 2026?
The Journey of Grand Theft Auto: A Visual Timeline
