In the Grand Theft Auto series, the majority of games unfold in imaginary mockeries of renowned U.S. cities, spanning various historical eras. GTA games are categorized into three distinct universes (2D, 3D, and HD), each crafting its unique reinterpretations of established locations. While these universes commonly feature shared city names, brand references, and unseen background characters, they exist as autonomous storylines, keeping their narratives separate from one another.
The Grand Theft Auto series has captivated players with its diverse and immersive open worlds. Here are the different city settings used in GTA games:
Liberty City
- Liberty City, the central metropolis in the Grand Theft Auto series, has undergone diverse iterations, each presenting a unique perspective on the vibrant urban landscape.
- Inspired by New York City, Liberty City amalgamates creativity and satire in its virtual realm.
- The original portrayal of Liberty City in the first Grand Theft Auto game laid the foundation, featuring two main landmasses, a sprawling southeastern region, and a more compact northeastern area reminiscent of New York’s boroughs.
- With the release of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, Liberty City underwent a transformative redesign, still rooted in New York but incorporating elements from various U.S. cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, Chicago, and Baltimore.
- This redesigned version introduced three unlocking islands—Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale—reflecting the multifaceted nature of real-world cities.
- Subsequent releases, including Grand Theft Auto Advance and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, maintained this iteration with temporal and narrative adjustments, serving as a narrative touchstone within the Grand Theft Auto universe.
- The third and latest incarnation of Liberty City, featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, its expansions, and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, is set in 2008 and 2009, closely mirroring the layout of New York City.
- The boroughs of Broker, Dukes, Bohan, and Algonquin in this version mirror their real-world counterparts, and additional elements like islands, tunnels, and a subway system contribute to the city’s vibrancy.
- Liberty City, with its ever-evolving landscape, showcases the creative prowess of game developers, crafting a virtual realm that captures the essence of iconic American cities.
- Serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Grand Theft Auto series, Liberty City stands as a dynamic and intricate creation within the gaming universe.
San Andreas
- San Andreas, initially inspired by San Francisco, is one of the original cities in Grand Theft Auto and serves as the second setting available to players.
- The locale comprises two landmasses: a large northern portion divided into fifteen districts, considered the city’s core, and a smaller island in the southeast, acting as the docks area.
- Aye Valley cuts through the northern landmass from east to west, further dividing the area.
Reimagined San Andreas in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (set in 1992):
- In this version, San Andreas transforms into a state, drawing inspiration from California and Nevada.
- The state includes two landmasses, separated by a river, featuring the cities of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles) and San Fierro (San Francisco) in the south, surrounded by forests and mountains.
- The northern portion is a vast desert region with Las Venturas (Las Vegas) as the sole city, connected by a train track system and airports for fast travel.
- Access to the full map is gradually unlocked as players progress through the story.
San Andreas (set in 2013)
- The game presents a third version of San Andreas, imagined as a state with only the southern portion depicted as a large island.
- The southern part is predominantly occupied by Los Santos (closely resembling Los Angeles), while the less inhabited northern Blaine County features vast desert, forest, and mountain areas with a few small towns.
- Unlike previous versions, Grand Theft Auto V’s San Andreas allows players to explore the entire island from the beginning of the game.
- The developers extensively researched Los Angeles for Grand Theft Auto V, conducting field research trips with experts, resulting in the accurate representation of landmarks and architecture.
- The virtual state of Los Santos in the game has gained a population exceeding the real city on which it was modeled, emphasizing the game’s widespread success.
Vice City
- Vice City, inspired by Miami, is one of the original cities in Grand Theft Auto and serves as the third setting available to players.
- The city comprises one large landmass divided into eight districts forming the core, along with a smaller island, Vice Beach, in the northeast.
- Resembling its real-life counterpart, Vice City is portrayed as a tropical city, distinguished by its beaches and palm trees.
Redesigned Vice City in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (set in 1986):
- The city is revamped in this version, featuring two main landmasses, Vice City Beach and Vice City Mainland, separated by a large body of water.
- Road bridges connect the landmasses and two smaller islands, Starfish Island and Prawn Island.
- Initially, players only have access to Vice City Beach, with the rest of the city gradually unlocking as the story progresses.
- The same setting is used in the prequel Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, with changes reflecting the different time period.
Upcoming Version in Grand Theft Auto VI:
A third iteration of Vice City is set to be the main setting in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
GTA Cities: Summary
3D Universe (1997-2004):
- Liberty City: Based on New York City, with influences from other American cities like Chicago and Philadelphia. Featured in Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, and Grand Theft Auto IV.
- Vice City: Inspired by Miami, Florida, in the 1980s. Featured in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
- San Andreas: A fictional state based on California, comprising three major cities:
- Los Santos: Los Angeles
- San Fierro: San Francisco
- Las Venturas: Las Vegas Featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
HD Universe (2008-present):
- Liberty City: Similar to the 3D Universe version, but with a more modern look and expanded areas. Featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned.
- Los Santos and Blaine County: Based on Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Featured in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
- Carcer City: A fictional city based on Detroit, Michigan. Featured in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
Other Settings:
- London: Featured in Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (expansion for Grand Theft Auto).
- Manchester: Featured in Grand Theft Auto: The Getaway (spin-off game).
It’s worth noting that while some settings are based on real cities, they are fictionalized and take creative liberties with their layout, landmarks, and atmosphere. This allows the developers to create unique and memorable environments for players to explore.
Future Settings
There have been various rumors and speculation about future GTA settings, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Popular suggestions include:
- Tokyo, Japan: A bustling metropolis with a distinct culture and architecture.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A vibrant city with stunning beaches and diverse neighborhoods.
- Chicago, Illinois: A major American city with a rich history and iconic landmarks.
The possibilities are endless, and it will be exciting to see where Rockstar Games takes players next in the Grand Theft Auto series.
