Official Era/Universe Explanation

[cp1dell]

Alright, it seems to me that some people simply don't understand how this whole "era" thing works out. Everyone seems to think that with every new roman numeral, that means a new era. For example, people think the eras are listed as I, II, III, IV and soon to be - V. I can assure you though, this is wrong.

 

In a blog post on the Rockstar Newswire, Rockstar has answered questions from the fans about Grand Theft Auto III. If you scroll down to the "Other Characters" section, the user SammiiDoogles asks a question about characters from III making a return:

There are many references to GTAIII characters and brands (El Burro graffiti in LC for example) in GTAIV, but do any characters (other than Lazlow) actually exist within both 'universes'? Is that where Donald Love went? Did he hop dimensions into the GTAIV universe?! Plot twist!! Are the two universes completely separate? I understand it'd make almost no sense having two Liberty City's but is there any way we'll see characters from GTAIII return? GTAIV has some amazing characters, but some of the characters in the III era are just unforgettable.

 

Rockstar replies back with:

El Burro is referenced as he was also referenced in GTA 1, so it felt appropriate that he should cross “universes” – the “universes” are the worlds interpreted at different definitions, 2d, 3d and high definition, so we felt brands and radio / back ground characters would exist in both, but 3 dimensional characters would not. This is the logic (as far as it could be considered logical) behind it – so no, we don’t believe any GTA3 characters could exist in the GTA4 universe.

 

Rockstar states the universes, or as most of you call - eras, are determined by definition: 2D, 3D and High Definition. It is obvious what games fit into what category, but for convenience, I will sort them here. I will not include GTA Advanced, simply because it's canonicity from the main Grand Theft Auto Series is debatable.

 

2D Universe: GTA 1, GTA London 1969, GTA London 1961 and GTA 2

3D Universe: GTA III, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA Liberty City Stories and GTA Vice City Stories

High Definition Universe: GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA Chinatown Wars

 

Now, this is how Rockstar splits the games into eras. That is as official as it gets.

 

Where does Grand Theft Auto V fit into this? Well it obviously would go into the High Definition Universe. Most of you will complain that V cannot be connected to IV because of the morality choices, and would debunk which ending is canon. But who's to say Grand Theft Auto V has to reference the events that took place in Liberty City? Rockstar can simply avoid saying which choices are "canon" by not even mentioning them, but the games can still take place in the same universe.

 

I am 90% sure Grand Theft Auto V will take place in the IV Universe, we just have to wait and see. But I strongly believe that it will.

 

After GTA V is released, feel free to come back to this topic and see that I - and everyone else that supports this - was right.

 

Also, one last thing. Could I possibly request a sticky so we can further avoid topics pertaining to this? Thanks.

[RP2012]

good post, but I wonder what era comes after the HD era...

[cp1dell]

Some would say it is the Ultra High Definition, but I don't think Rockstar calls the IV and V Era the HD Universe simply because of the resolution. More-so because of the HD graphics that came with this generation.

[Trideez]

Yeah I'll put my official vote in that says GTA V is also in the SAME "Universe" as GTA IV. I expect we'll run into at least 2 characters from IV.

[Linki]

I'm sure some retards will still think otherwise.

 

A sticky would be good.

[HOTMILFDAD]

My two cents that I've posted numerous times before:

 

Like I said in a similar thread:

 

GTA 1, 1969, 1961, and 2 take place in the 2D universe.

GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, LCS, VCS take place in the 3D universe.

GTA IV, TLaD, BoGT, and GTA V (I assume) takes place in the HD universe.

 

Am I Rockstar? No.

Do I listen to what they confirm and don't? Yes.

 

They've repeatedly stated that games that are separated via era's, are in fact in different universes and the only thing that's allowed to "cross" universes are 2D things such as  radio stations, background characters (as in "not important to any game or any plot"), ads, and companies.

 

Hence why Liberty City in IV looks nothing like Liberty City in III, or why Los Santos in V looks nothing like Los Santos in San Andreas.

 

But you may ask "WEL Y IZ CJ ON DAT BILLBOARD IN IV??/"

Because my friend, CJ is represented as a picture on a 2D advertisement.

He is in no way in 3D, able to interact with your character.

 

 

El Burro is referenced as he was also referenced in GTA 1, so it felt appropriate that he should cross “universes” – the “universes” are the worlds interpreted at different definitions, 2d, 3d and high definition, so we felt brands and radio / back ground characters would exist in both, but 3 dimensional characters would not. This is the logic (as far as it could be considered logical) behind it – so no, we don’t believe any GTA3 characters could exist in the GTA4 universe.

 

I can't stress that above quote from Rockstar enough.

It basically states flat out the rules of the universes and who's allowed to cross over or not.

 

Also, I can pretty much confirm for you that even if the universes didn't exist, that none of the characters would be returning due to this easter egg which confirms they all died:

 

oh and..

 

but they ARE alive in the universe, even though we wont physically see them..

 

[senor_huevos_benedicto]

Okay, I've already given my opinion on this but here we go:

 

In my mind, different numbers equal different universes.

[Fraizer]

 

good post, but I wonder what era comes after the HD era...

After HD, it's 4K

 

 

No one here has a monitor that can see the difference really... But here is a video, you can kinda tell the difference as there is almost absolutely no blur or grain at all, especially the Golden gate bridge scene.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F...h?v=DD_YOvNUVc4

Edited February 4, 2012 by FRA1Z3R

[PowerKracker]

Once again, I'm pretty sure most people think it's the same continuity as IV.

Now if you could only tell that to both of the GTA Wikis. They already list everyting associated with V as "GTA V" era even though there is no confirmation whether it's the same or new universe at all.

[llpalm08]

Okay, I've already given my opinion on this but here we go:

 

In my mind, different numbers equal different universes.

That may be what you think but its not what Rockstar says which is that the eras are 2D 3D and HD

[senor_huevos_benedicto]

Okay, I've already given my opinion on this but here we go:

 

In my mind, different numbers equal different universes.

That may be what you think but its not what Rockstar says which is that the eras are 2D 3D and HD

They could have been talking about the past and not talked about the future.

 

Damn, I wish I hadn't made that thread about it now.

[cp1dell]

Are you really that stubborn?

 

Just because you want to think every roman numeral means a new era, doesn't mean it's true. Rockstar has said themselves that the eras are listed as 2D, 3D and HD. It doesn't need to be discussed, you just need to accept the fact that your theory on eras is completely wrong, and the people that produce the game itself have stated that there is 2D, 3D and HD. Each roman numeral does not mean a new universe/era.

[Snake Without a Tongue]

This is why I hate Trekkies. R* can do whatever they want. GTA is fiction.

[senor_huevos_benedicto]

I'd believe that it was the same universe if they hadn't released the DLC's. In many ways the releasing of more than one full game in an era is now outdated - to fully understand the story you sort of need to have played the previous installments. With the introduction of the DLC since then they can give extra stories from the era without making a full new game.

[Durden]

Erm...Chinatown wars is part of the 2-D Era. Just becasue it's new it doesn't make it "High Definition".

 

Fix Please

[tenpennyisplainevil]

V is in a different era. Niko can't be featured in V due to multiple endings. The whole point of eras is having returning characters, am I right? In SA for example III and VC characters returned. Because in V it would be too difficult to implement the endings of IV into it, it's a different era. What other difference is there between eras, besides other graphics? None. And for the people saying that cars are the same, compare IV to III era and see they're roughly the same.

Bottom line is: if characters can't return, there's NO other reason for it to be in the same era, because characters are the only difference between eras.

[Irrational]

GTA 1 and 2 are 3D.

[cp1dell]

 

GTA 1 and 2 are 3D.

Get the f*ck out.

 

 

V is in a different era. Niko can't be featured in V due to multiple endings. The whole point of eras is having returning characters, am I right? In SA for example III and VC characters returned. Because in V it would be too difficult to implement the endings of IV into it, it's a different era. What other difference is there between eras, besides other graphics? None. And for the people saying that cars are the same, compare IV to III era and see they're roughly the same.

Bottom line is: if characters can't return, there's NO other reason for it to be in the same era, because characters are the only difference between eras.

I already explained this in my first post. Grand Theft Auto V doesn't have to have Niko in it, or even have him say anything regarding the ending. GTA V can even have just a secondary character from IV, like Jerry Kapowitz.

 

 

Erm...Chinatown wars is part of the 2-D  Era. Just becasue it's new it doesn't make it "High Definition".

 

Fix Please

Let me explain this simply for you.

 

The Liberty City in the 2D Universe is completely different from Chinatown War's Liberty City, the GTA IV Police Database even has information on the characters from CTW, meaning they both exist in the same universe.

 

Is this whole thing really hard for some of you to understand? I'm on the verge of personally asking Rockstar to confirm this whole era thing and hope they don't give me an automated reply.

Edited February 4, 2012 by cp1dell

[tenpennyisplainevil]

@cp1dell You're right, as long as the characters don't know what happened at the ending of IV they can be featured. Let's hope for Tony and Luis. After all, they did talk about Vinewood at the end. But now, all we can do is wait lol

[Meezarawcks]

No matter how many times you explain it someone will refute you. Even if R* has confirmed it people tend to believe what they want too. The era debate will go on forever because people tend to live in there own world.

[tenpennyisplainevil]

No matter how many times you explain it someone will refute you. Even if R* has confirmed it people tend to believe what they want too. The era debate will go on forever because people tend to live in there own world.

True, unless R* specifically says it, a debate is doomed to go on forever

[Meezarawcks]

 

No matter how many times you explain it someone will refute you.  Even if R* has confirmed it people tend to believe what they want too.  The era debate will go on forever because people tend to live in there own world.

True, unless R* specifically says it, a debate is doomed to go on forever

Even if R* has specifically said it:

 

 

El Burro is referenced as he was also referenced in GTA 1, so it felt appropriate that he should cross “universes” – the “universes” are the worlds interpreted at different definitions, 2d, 3d and high definition, so we felt brands and radio / back ground characters would exist in both, but 3 dimensional characters would not. This is the logic (as far as it could be considered logical) behind it – so no, we don’t believe any GTA3 characters could exist in the GTA4 universe.

 

They clearly said the characters can not cross over and defined the "eras/universes". Background brands and characters can exist but 3 dimensional characters can not. Unfortunately though people want to make up there own fantasy because there obsession with past characters can not be vanquished.

[Irrational]

 

GTA 1 and 2 are 3D.

Get the f*ck out.

Respect, please.

 

GTA 1 and 2 are in 3D...partially.

 

The cities are modeled, but cars, peds and other things are just 2D sprites.

 

And, thinking about it, may be true, because GTA 2 has many references to GTA 1, one does not contradicts the other in any way. They may be at the same Era, but, I don't know...

[bluesboyjr]

As I've said in another thread, GTA V can be in the same era as GTA IV without sharing half the cast. GTA III and GTA VC only shared two visible characters: Donald Love (who barely had a speaking role in VC) and Phil Cassidy (who was only in one mission in III). So we might only see two or three characters from IV and EfLC in GTA V (my money's on Jerry Kapowitz and Packie, based on the ending of TBoGT). Heck, we might not see any characters from IV in V - you didn't see any characters from IV in Chinatown Wars, did you? I wouldn't be surprised if Rockstar went down this route - GTA has never been about the characters, it's about the setting.

 

If GTA V makes any reference to the ending of IV (which I very much doubt it will), it will only make reference to the parts that were canon across both endings - the diamonds belong to Kapowitz, the heroin is destroyed and both Dmitri and Pegorino are dead. The deaths of Roman or Kate only really affect Niko and his close friends; as someone else has already mentioned somewhere, they had no real effect on the grander scheme of things.

[Chunkyman]

I'm willing to bet IV and V are the same era. I doubt they would switch universes after just one main game.

[Freezer89]

I'm willing to bet IV and V are the same era. I doubt they would switch universes after just one main game.

Exactly. And only one city in its own era? Nah..

[cp1dell]

 

GTA 1 and 2 are 3D.

Get the f*ck out.

Respect, please.

 

GTA 1 and 2 are in 3D...partially.

 

The cities are modeled, but cars, peds and other things are just 2D sprites.

 

And, thinking about it, may be true, because GTA 2 has many references to GTA 1, one does not contradicts the other in any way. They may be at the same Era, but, I don't know...

You obviously don't understand what Rockstar means by 2D. The 2D games are the top-down ones, they are not 3D.

 

Some of you are painfully oblivious.

[paperbackmummy]

V is in a different era. Niko can't be featured in V due to multiple endings. The whole point of eras is having returning characters, am I right? In SA for example III and VC characters returned. Because in V it would be too difficult to implement the endings of IV into it, it's a different era.

There are easy ways to get around this. If you ran into Niko on a mission, just as a quick cameo for fans of IV, there's no reason the player would even need to know his backstory. Maybe Niko could make a comment about how the last place he lived was tough and he lost someone close to him, but he wouldn't have to mention who. And that would be perfectly accurate no matter which choice you made in IV.

 

Anyway I don't think Niko is returning, his voice actor had some disputes with R* over money, I think.

[HOTMILFDAD]

 

GTA 1 and 2 are 3D.

Get the f*ck out.

Respect, please.

 

GTA 1 and 2 are in 3D...partially.

 

The cities are modeled, but cars, peds and other things are just 2D sprites.

 

And, thinking about it, may be true, because GTA 2 has many references to GTA 1, one does not contradicts the other in any way. They may be at the same Era, but, I don't know...

lol no man.

 

GTA 1, 2, 1969, and 1961 are all in the 2D era.

 

Yeah they have some 3D qualities, but compare:

 

 

to this:

 

 

 

 

V is in a different era. Niko can't be featured in V due to multiple endings. The whole point of eras is having returning characters, am I right? In SA for example III and VC characters returned. Because in V it would be too difficult to implement the endings of IV into it, it's a different era.

 

SA had characters from III and Vice City return because they are in the same era.

If GTA V is indeed in the same era as GTA IV, then we'd likely see a Niko cameo, or PBX, etc.

 

If not, and GTA V is indeed in it's own universe, no returning characters from any game would be featured as a 3D model in the game.

Perhaps as a 2D sprite on a billboard like CJ in IV, but not 3D.

Edited February 4, 2012 by Nigel xD

[RyanBurnsRed]

GTA V is in it's own universe. But someone before has pointed out that the canon ending of GTA IV was Revenge.

Edited October 17, 2013 by brootalperry