Ahead of the release of GTA 6, the series' titles can be divided into three universes based on narrative continuity: 2D, 3D, and HD. This classification is not based solely on graphical perspective, but on whether characters, events, and canon are interconnected.
Grand Theft Auto through Grand Theft Auto 2 belong to the 2D Universe, Grand Theft Auto III initiated the 3D Universe, and Grand Theft Auto IV along with subsequent titles constitute the HD Universe. Therefore, Grand Theft Auto Advance and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, despite using a top-down perspective, are classified under the 3D and HD Universes respectively.
Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City have appeared repeatedly across multiple titles, but when the universe shifts, city layouts, histories, and character relationships are redesigned. Brands or cultural elements such as Sprunk soda, Burger Shot restaurants, and radio personalities may continue to appear across different universes.
GTA 6 is set in the state of Leonida, modeled after Florida, with modern-day Vice City as its core area. The protagonists are Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. The game is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026.
Official materials have not directly stated which universe GTA 6 belongs to. However, public footage has featured Weazel News and Valentina, a character from GTA Online, leading to the analysis that it is highly likely this title continues the HD Universe, though this affiliation has not been officially confirmed.