Why are there different universes?

[VileClown]

To me, it doesn't seem to make sense to separate the HD and 3D universes from each other. I mean, it wouldn't heavily impact any of the storylines. So why are they in separate universes?

[SonofUgly]

Easier to just write up a new story/universe than it would be having to expand or fit around an existing one.

[Karato2300]

Well there are many difference with the worlds between the two. Liberty City alone in III and IV is vastly different, and no amount of time could cause such drastic changes. Same goes for Los Santos in San Andreas and GTAV, there's too many changes in the game worlds to make them be the same place, even when there's a 21 years between their settings.

 

Besides, it allows us to draw our own conclusions as to the stories of CJ, Claude, Tommy, Victor, and Tony. Maybe CJ settled quietly in the woods, running numerous businesses, or returned to just being an OG in the streets. Perhaps Tommy ruled Vice City as a kingpin who kept the drugs from kids, or was even worse than Sonny and Diaz put together.

[fawks20000]

Because with the updated technology, they were able to build a better city. The old versions of the cities all looked very different and in the context of the III-era story, important buildings/places are gone in the new era and it wouldn't make sense. At least with V, they're acknowledging previous characters. CJ's mom exists in this universe so CJ probably does too. It's just CJ in a different universe.

[fawks20000]

Perhaps Tommy ruled Vice City as a kingpin who kept the drugs from kids, or was even worse than Sonny and Diaz put together.

 

I very much like the idea of the next game being set in Vice City where you switch between younger Sonny and Diaz and end up having to take Tommy down in the end.

[neato9611]

Because with the updated technology, they were able to build a better city. The old versions of the cities all looked very different and in the context of the III-era story, important buildings/places are gone in the new era and it wouldn't make sense. At least with V, they're acknowledging previous characters. CJ's mom exists in this universe so CJ probably does too. It's just CJ in a different universe.

I have always considered this. Just think, Claude could have been one of the random pedestrians you shot in LC. Maybe in this universe he walked a different path and was one of the NOoSE officers you took down in Algonquin when you got in that hectic shootout. Maybe CJ was one of those Ballas standing on the street corner. Maybe he is one of the homeless guys on the street corner. Maybe he is driving around Los Santos in a black and white.

 

Or, the characters could just be reincarnated. Tommy Vercetti is Tommy Vercetti, Franklin is CJ, Trevor is....Trevor. Could be Claude.

[StarVisitor]

It's the easy way to take for everything to make sense. And who cares, really? Even though GTA V has one of the best stories of all time, GTA games are about so much more than the story element.