"Universes"

[Sargent Slaughter]

One thing i'm sick of reading in every thread on here is the word "Universes". I mean lets get real here, nothing makes sense in video games, nothing.

 

Nothing falls neatly into Universes or cannons.

 

I keep reading how characters can't exist in 2 Universes, Yet cars can, Cities can, Radio personalities and brand names can?

I feel the whole universes quote from r* was an off the cuff response to a difficult question which really had no answer because there is no need for answers.

 

So to the "Universe" morons, here is a Question; Why can cars exist in parallel universes? Why can people not?. And "Because R* said playable characters won't exist" is not a valid answer.

 

Interviewers ask tough questions and inverviwees have to compromise with their own answers.

 

I highly doubt R* had a board meeting and decided that GTA will now switch universe and have no characters repeated.

 

Games can be different. Games can be the same. R* may re-use a character again after saying they don't plan to.

 

I've just read that GTA and RDR are in different Universes on here.

 

Talk about taking a statement out of context, Jesus.

 

Edit: And i don't want characters to re-appear before someone thinks i'm a III-era fan-boy.

 

But some people on here think their an authority on what can and can't happen based on a flawed "Universes" concept taken from one comment, with no real meaning to it.

 

So a town from unverse one(IIIera) can have the same town name as a town in unverse 2(IVera), but not universe 3(rdr). The same cars and brands as universe 2, but not the same names, or people. Stupid.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Sargent Slaughter

[hockeysauce]

And I'm sick of people who just can't grasp this concept...

 

 

 

[RP2012]

it's pretty stupid, but Rockstar said that's how it is sooo...

[Kjax39]

Thought about this the other day. Good post. Some people just have sh*t for brains

[Legendary912]

I find it really annoying when people mention 'Eras'

[HydraulicWaRiOr]

It's their rules about the game, it's not supposed to make any real sense. Who cares. It would suck for them to recycle old characters anyway. GTA is supposed to be a new story everytime. That's part of what makes it GTA. You want a recycled game go play CoD.

[Agem]

It's because it wouldn't make sense, i think. How would LC change so much in 7 years? (GTA III-GTAIV) Same goes to Los Santos (GTA SA-GTA V) :\

 

And cars aren't a problem , they really changed between ''universes'', like the Sentinel from GTA 3/VC/SA VS IV one.

 

But about the radio one you're right, how the heck Fernando Martinez went from III Era to IV Era? lol, magic?

[Sargent Slaughter]

I find it really annoying when people mention 'Eras'

As do I because every game is Unique some reference to other games and some do not. I needed to use the word eras to get my comparison across though.

[ThEtRuThSANANDREAS69]

 

So to the "Universe" morons, here is a Question; Why can cars exist in parallel universes? Why can people not?. And "Because R* said playable characters won't exist" is not a valid answer.

 

 

it is a valid answer. ROCKSTAR makes the games, not you. ROCKSTAR makes the rules, not you. ROCKSTAR said, NO RETURNING CHARACTERS. nothing else. How many returning characters were in 4? none. how many returning cars were in 4?? plenty. what you dont believe is happening already happened in 4. ROCKSTAR SAID SO IS A VALID ANSWER BECAUSE ROCKSTAR MAKES THE GAME AND THE RULES. not you. get over it.

[STAR_KILLER423]

Rockstar themselves said that the 3 era isnt necessarily over and that all the characters aren't dead, but people tend to dismiss that quote as well. (I can't remember where I read that quote at though). Honestly I'm pretty sure it was just an explanation as too why we don't see many characters carry over, and so they can re-design the cities as they see fit.

They can put who they want where they want. If they wanted they could make Niko show up in Max Payne 3, but they won't. If they want to include past characters in V then they can, That doesn't mean that they are going to be the protagonist or play a major role (as many think they will if they return). But make a cameo appearance or referenced.

[FelipeVinhao]

"Universe", "era" and the likes really bother me.

 

People can't see that Rockstar came lately with the "universe" stuff probably because their email database was on fire due to the high number of emails asking about returning characters on GTA5.

 

People can't accept the simple fact that they'll be playing with a new guy, with a different point of view, in a different time, although in the same city.

[AB0333]

This topic is like an exhausted prostitute. Been discussed only about few million times, no need for new ones.

Let everyone think what they want, no need to flame about it.

[Sargent Slaughter]

Rockstar was only reasoning about non-returning characters. It's a remark/possible explanation not a stone-wall concept that is to be taken out of context as gospel and mentioned in every thread on the forum.

 

I'm willing to bet that was a just meant as a possibility or potential reason from whomever was being interviewed and has never been decided at any level in r*.

[vijay.genius1]

 

"In GTAIV, there's a wall that contains the names of previous protagonists in the Grand Theft Auto series, and after some of those names, there are the words 'R.I.P.' or something similar. Is this a way of confirming that the GTA3 timeline is over, or will you bring it back someday?" - Rodrigo6411

 

This was a little joke for fans of the series. The Grand Theft Auto III timeline is not necessarily over - but it is a different world to Grand Theft Auto IV - only the branding and certain radio personalities exist across both worlds. The reason for this was that we felt Grand Theft Auto IV was a high-definition experience and required different kinds of characters. That - and the fact that most people from the previous world are dead.

 

(source) http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/arti...n-and-chin.html

[Dick Valor]

I highly doubt R* had a board meeting and decided that GTA will now switch universe and have no characters repeated.

 

You're right that video games are over-analyzed. Still, how do you know the Housers aren't big nerds that never discussed the GTA eras/universes over a warm glass of scotch? It's not that outlandish, considering they're passionate video game developers that could very well analyze their own work with the same zeal as the gamers on this forum. I know I would if I was the creative director of the most popular video game franchise ever.

[DaWiesel]

You can think what you want, it will not help any character from the last er... ehm, games before GTA IV to appear. Well, let's say there's a 0,0001% chance.

[meson1]

A GTA is an entirely creative work. Each time Rockstar make a new one they create it how they please. Sometimes any given GTA instalment will fit in with other GTAs. Sometimes they don't.

 

The Q&A in which the question was answered was a carefully assembled article. They weren't put on the spot by some random person and had to scramble for some kind of explanation. No. They carefully selected which questions to feature in the piece and what answers to put. They didn't have to include that question. But they did quite deliberately and they supplied that 'universes' answer quite deliberately.

 

For that reason, I don't think that explanation of theirs is quite so easily dismissed.

 

I think it's reasonable to assume for now that the 'universes' explanation represents their current thinking. But it's not some rock solid rule, carved in stone that will never change. Rockstar are not ones to let such rules restrain their creativity. As soon as that 'rule' (as much as it can be called a rule) becomes inconvenient they will just change it or simply ignore it.

 

That said, I do think some people on here set a little too much store by it.

[hockeysauce]

"Universe", "era" and the likes really bother me.

 

People can't see that Rockstar came lately with the "universe" stuff probably because their email database was on fire due to the high number of emails asking about returning characters on GTA5.

 

People can't accept the simple fact that they'll be playing with a new guy, with a different point of view, in a different time, although in the same city.

That's the thing though... Los Santos in GTA: SA and Los Santos in V are two very different cities... much like Liberty City in III and LC in IV are very different cities...

 

The best analogy I can think of right now is Batman and The Dark Knight... both movies had Gotham, Batman, and the Joker, but they were two completely different takes on the city and each character... you wouldn't then expect to see Jack Nicholson's Joker appear in The Dark Knight Rises this summer, would you?

[STAR_KILLER423]

"In GTAIV, there's a wall that contains the names of previous protagonists in the Grand Theft Auto series, and after some of those names, there are the words 'R.I.P.' or something similar. Is this a way of confirming that the GTA3 timeline is over, or will you bring it back someday?" - Rodrigo6411

 

This was a little joke for fans of the series. The Grand Theft Auto III timeline is not necessarily over - but it is a different world to Grand Theft Auto IV - only the branding and certain radio personalities exist across both worlds. The reason for this was that we felt Grand Theft Auto IV was a high-definition experience and required different kinds of characters. That - and the fact that most people from the previous world are dead.

 

(source) http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/arti...n-and-chin.html

Thats the quote I was thinking of! Seems I didn't remember it 100% correctly. I never wanted characters to return super important anyway though. I just like the little references and occasional cameo of a past character. Mostly the references for fans of the game to get.

[ThEtRuThSANANDREAS69]

A GTA is an entirely creative work. Each time Rockstar make a new one they create it how they please. Sometimes any given GTA instalment will fit in with other GTAs. Sometimes they don't.

 

The Q&A in which the question was answered was a carefully assembled article. They weren't put on the spot by some random person and had to scramble for some kind of explanation. No. They carefully selected which questions to feature in the piece and what answers to put. They didn't have to include that question. But they did quite deliberately and they supplied that 'universes' answer quite deliberately.

 

For that reason, I don't think that explanation of theirs is quite so easily dismissed.

 

I think it's reasonable to assume for now that the 'universes' explanation represents their current thinking. But it's not some rock solid rule, carved in stone that will never change. Rockstar are not ones to let such rules restrain their creativity. As soon as that 'rule' (as much as it can be called a rule) becomes inconvenient they will just change it or simply ignore it.

 

That said, I do think some people on here set a little too much store by it.

Yes, true, but were strictly talking about V this is the V section not future GTA titles. do you honestly believe they will put new characters in V after all the emphasis of keeping them out of IV because the HD graphics? V will also have HD graphics, why would they want to all the sudden show them now and not back in 08?? i dont think rockstar says sh*t to just say it. old characters wont return. maybe in the future if they make a remake or sequel to a past title. But not V. they would at least come out and change the rule or tweak it a bit. they wouldnt make themselves look stupid and troll there fans by saying they dont want old characters in HD graphics then turn around and go against there own word in the SECOND HD installment of the series.

[meson1]

 

A GTA is an entirely creative work.  Each time Rockstar make a new one they create it how they please.  Sometimes any given GTA instalment will fit in with other GTAs.  Sometimes they don't.

 

The Q&A in which the question was answered was a carefully assembled article.  They weren't put on the spot by some random person and had to scramble for some kind of explanation.  No.  They carefully selected which questions to feature in the piece and what answers to put.  They didn't have to include that question.  But they did quite deliberately and they supplied that 'universes' answer quite deliberately.

 

For that reason, I don't think that explanation of theirs is quite so easily dismissed.

 

I think it's reasonable to assume for now that the 'universes' explanation represents their current thinking.  But it's not some rock solid rule, carved in stone that will never change.  Rockstar are not ones to let such rules restrain their creativity.  As soon as that 'rule' (as much as it can be called a rule) becomes inconvenient they will just change it or simply ignore it.

 

That said, I do think some people on here set a little too much store by it.

Yes, true, but were strictly talking about V this is the V section not future GTA titles. do you honestly believe they will put new characters in V after all the emphasis of keeping them out of IV because the HD graphics? V will also have HD graphics, why would they want to all the sudden show them now and not back in 08?? i dont think rockstar says sh*t to just say it. old characters wont return. maybe in the future if they make a remake or sequel to a past title. But not V. they would at least come out and change the rule or tweak it a bit. they wouldnt make themselves look stupid and troll there fans by saying they dont want old characters in HD graphics then turn around and go against there own word in the SECOND HD installment of the series.

I am not saying that they will suddenly include III 'era' characters again. I don't think they will. All I'm saying is that they don't let trivialities stop them from being creative.

 

When GTA:IV came out, they were at pains to draw a line under the III 'era'. GTA:IV was a kind of reboot. A clean slate.

 

The timing of that their 'universes' explanation was after they'd released the GTA:V trailer. It's reasonable to assume that answer probably also applies to GTA:V and as such GTA:V is likely to represent a loose continuation of what GTA:IV started.

 

But in the GTAs to come after V, who knows what they will choose to do, and if they will choose to justify it with some explanation or not.

[FelipeVinhao]

"Universe", "era" and the likes really bother me.

 

People can't see that Rockstar came lately with the "universe" stuff probably because their email database was on fire due to the high number of emails asking about returning characters on GTA5.

 

People can't accept the simple fact that they'll be playing with a new guy, with a different point of view, in a different time, although in the same city.

That's the thing though... Los Santos in GTA: SA and Los Santos in V are two very different cities... much like Liberty City in III and LC in IV are very different cities...

 

The best analogy I can think of right now is Batman and The Dark Knight... both movies had Gotham, Batman, and the Joker, but they were two completely different takes on the city and each character... you wouldn't then expect to see Jack Nicholson's Joker appear in The Dark Knight Rises this summer, would you?

I wouldn't even compare anything related to superheroes universe, because ALL heroes story have alternative universe. Summarizing, it's not made to make sense.

 

But if we can make it simple, let's have this in mind: the actor changed, but the Joker is still the same maniac criminal.

 

The same is with the cities. GTA3 and GTA4 Liberty City are different, but are actually the same city. It's just seen by different points of view - which gives a great excuse to remake it and make it more realistic.

 

Don't believe this? Listen to Lazlow radio on GTA4 and you'll hear people talking about his work on Chatterbox radio. How come? Are these people from another universe? or from the "other" Liberty City?

 

"Universe" simply doesn't apply to GTA. It's not Star Trek, Batman, or Sonic. Believing this or not, it's up to Rockstar if they want returning characters, places, vehicles... they'll give any excuse to make us stop bothering them about the subject.

[Mister Pink]

 

So to the "Universe" morons, here is a Question; Why can cars exist in parallel universes? Why can people not?. And "Because R* said playable characters won't exist" is not a valid answer.

 

 

it is a valid answer. ROCKSTAR makes the games, not you. ROCKSTAR makes the rules, not you. ROCKSTAR said, NO RETURNING CHARACTERS. nothing else. How many returning characters were in 4? none. how many returning cars were in 4?? plenty. what you dont believe is happening already happened in 4. ROCKSTAR SAID SO IS A VALID ANSWER BECAUSE ROCKSTAR MAKES THE GAME AND THE RULES. not you. get over it.

Topics just go over some people's heads and they just miss the point completely. Embarrassing it must be for you.

 

Yeah I kind of agree with the poster. People take the 'universe' thing too seriously. Rockstar can do what they like. I'd love to see a returning character but that would probably shatter the rules the universe fanatics dream of.

 

I was happy IV was having a new set of characters because I new I'd grow to love them like III-era characters, but I didn't so I want my III-era characters back. Give me The Truth, give me OG LOC, give me Phil Bell and Mike Toreno. All these guys walk all over c*nts like Manny Esquela, Playboy. Those guys had the character of genital warts sunbathing in cats piss.

[thatstupidbug]

 

 

Don't believe this? Listen to Lazlow radio on GTA4 and you'll hear people talking about his work on Chatterbox radio. How come? Are these people from another universe? or from the "other" Liberty City?

 

 

i have an explanation (but that's my explanation, so feel free to not agree with me)

 

they don't come from another universe, WE are in another universe they are talking about (and we are listening) to ANOTHER lazlow. it's not the same lazlow as the GTA III-era, he has a similar backstory, but it's another guy. how it is possible? i'm tinking about "back to the future":

 

when marty leaves the TWIN PINES MALL in 1985, his parents are poor idiots who met with a car accident, and doc is REALLY dead. When marty comes back in 1985, he arrives to ANOTHER universe. There's a LONE PINE MALL (like a different city between GTA III and IV) but there are still people called George, lorraine, biff and Doc... but now they are different from the older version: george and lorraine met thanks to "Calvin", and doc IS NOT dead

 

so there are differences (doc isn't dead) and similarities (doc still create a time machine) between the universes, and both can co-exists because they are not the same

 

maybe isn't so simple to understand, but that's my theory

[cp1dell]

It's not flawed. Your tiny brain just cant grasp such a simple concept. Rockstar explained that brand names and other 2-Dimensional beings can cross over, probably because they don't really affect the story that much. But you went ahead and dismissed that in the OP. This is the way it is, and it makes perfect sense. You might want to graduate from kindergarten before trying to make a good point.

[Knife]

They have to be different 'universes' for anything to make any sense. The places are completely different.

 

Say Claude popped up in GTA IV. Where's the Callahan bridge that got blown up at the start of his story? Or any other landmark that's important like the dam. If Claude exists in the same world as GTA IV's Liberty City, none of his story from GTA III could have happened because the places don't exist. It doesn't work at all.

[Ash_735]

Also, for those that refuse the Universe/Era theory, ...please explain GTA1 and 2 and where they fit in, I'd love to see the story from that!

[Lock n' Stock]

The things that connect the GTA III and GTA IV Eras together are place names, brands, radio personalties and a few easter eggs. I doubt the storylines are related though.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Gst0395

[018361]

TROLL: U no can has characters between a 7 year gap, cause dat be no realistic.

 

Me: C'MON it is a video game. It does NOT EVER have to be realistic. It is always possible for R* to go back. I'm tired of all these kids who have only played GTA IV saying it can't happen. Why would R* leave their long time fans hanging. If they were to end all the characters from the 3 "era" the most be deserve is to know what happened to our friends from back in the day...and yes I am a 3 "era" fanboy and am proud of it.

[hockeysauce]

TROLL: U no can has characters between a 7 year gap, cause dat be no realistic.

 

Me: C'MON it is a video game. It does NOT EVER have to be realistic. It is always possible for R* to go back. I'm tired of all these kids who have only played GTA IV saying it can't happen. Why would R* leave their long time fans hanging. If they were to end all the characters from the 3 "era" the most be deserve is to know what happened to our friends from back in the day...and yes I am a 3 "era" fanboy and am proud of it.

I would say it's the long-time fans who the ones are actually grasping this concept...