The Grand Theft Auto series is more than a fair, thrilling crime story. For years, players' imaginations have been stimulated by Rockstar's complicated details and expansive, immersive landscapes, which conceal layers of mysteries and Easter eggs.
Fans have developed complex ideas about the universe that link all Grand Theft Auto games despite the series' reputation for wild tricks, dark humor, and criminal plots. The GTA universe has developed into a playground for in-depth explorations of its mythology, ranging from hypotheses concerning secret organizations, hidden conspiracies, and extraterrestrial life to speculative ideas about a common universe.
The top five most intriguing and well-liked fan theories that imply the GTA universe might be much more complicated than we initially believed will be examined in this list. These hypotheses provide a new perspective on the Grand Theft Auto universe, provoke players' interest, and keep them wondering what Rockstar might be concealing in plain sight, regardless of whether they are ardent fans or casual gamers.
Are you prepared to explore the mysteries of Los Santos and beyond in greater detail? Let's dive in!
Top 5 Fan Theories in GTA Universe
Here are the top 5 fan theories in the GTA universe that provide players with new perspectives and provoke their imaginations:
1. All GTA Games Exist in a Connected Multiverse
One of the wildest theories is that every GTA game occurs in a shared multiverse rather than a single timeline. Rockstar officially divides the series into three universes:
- 2D Universe (GTA 1 & 2)
- 3D Universe (GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas)
- HD Universe (GTA IV, GTA V)
Although these universes are different, fans think that reoccurring characters, settings, and Easter eggs give them a dubious connection. For example, characters like Ken Rosenberg and Lazlow Jones reappear in GTA V, where, in fact, they are part of the 3D universe. Are they evidence of a multiverse, or are they just different incarnations of the same individuals?
2. Michael De Santa is Actually Tommy Vercetti
A bizarre but intriguing theory suggests that Michael De Santa from GTA V is an older version of Tommy Vercetti from Vice City. Fans have pointed out several similarities:
- Both characters have a mafia-like background and a love for money.
- Michael’s obsession with old-school crime movies aligns with Tommy’s 1980s gangster influence.
- Michael’s past is suspiciously vague, leading some to believe he could have changed his identity.
While their voices and backstories don’t perfectly align, many believe that Michael was designed as Tommy's spiritual successor or that GTA V was teasing an alternate timeline in which Tommy went into witness protection.
3. CJ is Still Alive and in Hiding
At the end of GTA: San Andreas, CJ becomes the king of Los Santos, but after GTA V, fans question what happened to him.
- The Ballas now rule Grove Street, but CJ is never mentioned, so some people assume he fled or went into hiding.
- Since Rockstar has never revealed CJ's fate, he may come back in a later game.
- Some theorists suggest that CJ moved out of Los Santos entirely to avoid further conflict or expand his empire elsewhere.
Could CJ still be pulling the strings from behind the scenes?
4. GTA and Red Dead Redemption Exist in the Same Universe
The idea that Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto are set within the same world, barely over a century apart, is another wild cross-game theory.
- Grand Theft Auto V players can discover a vintage gun called the "Double-Action Revolver," which takes after those featured in Red Dead Redemption.
- Various surnames from Red Dead, including Marstons and MacFarlanes, can be found in Grand Theft Auto, suggesting possible familial connections.
- Themes of rebellion, corruption, and outlaws are prevalent throughout both games.
Despite the need for formal affirmation, the references and Easter eggs show a closer relationship between the two franchises.
5. Bigfoot and Other Mythical Creatures Are Real in GTA
Since GTA: San Andreas, players have speculated that Bigfoot exists somewhere in the game. While early rumors were debunked, Rockstar has since embraced the legend, adding references in later games:
- In GTA V, a secret mission lets players hunt Bigfoot, confirming that Rockstar knows about the fan theories.
- Players have also reported ghosts, UFOs, and strange creatures hidden throughout the game world.
- Some theorists believe these mythical creatures are tied to the Epsilon Program, hinting at a supernatural side of the GTA universe.
Is there something more to the GTA world than just crime and corruption?
That concludes our top 5 fan theories about the GTA Universe. From hidden conspiracies to multiverse theories, the GTA universe is filled with secrets that may never be fully explained. Whether CJ is still alive, the Epsilon Program is controlling the world, or aliens are invading, Rockstar has left just enough clues to keep fans debating for years.
With GTA VI on the way, players are eager to see if any of these theories will be confirmed or if Rockstar will introduce even more mysteries for fans to uncover. One thing is for sure: in the world of GTA, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.