One regularly points to the MCU about how the studio was able to construct such a massive connected universe, while Rockstar Games did the same with GTA.
The GTA franchise is in many ways the best that the AAA game industry offers in terms of quality, scale and value. One of the biggest achievements of the franchise was to tell individual, independent stories, while also being able to bind them all.
This means that each game takes place in the same universe, and characters appear in different games. Depending on the timeline, characters are often younger or older than when they first appeared.
5 characters in GTA 5 that appeared in previous games in the franchise
5) Johnny Klebitz
In perhaps what has become one of the most iconic character introductions in a video game ever, Johnny Klebitz of GTA IV: The Lost and Damned meets his rather unhappy and brutal ending. While not a straight arrow at all during GTA IV expansion, Johnny really finds himself off the rails during the events of Grand Theft Auto.
Johnny is just a shell of the man he was and finds himself at the mercy of his addiction. After having an argument with Trevor, the character brutally bumps his head into the ground.
4) Michelle / Karen
One of the biggest twists that Rockstar Games drew in GTA IV is the revelation that Michelle, whose real name is Karen, was indeed a secret IAA agent. The revelation ends with Niko and Karen falling apart, and she is not seen for the rest of the match.
During the mission “By the Book” in GTA 5, however, she appears as the agent who Mr. K interrogates and threatens him with a flashlight. A como adds weight to a connected universe.
3) Patrick “Packie” McReary
One of the best missions in GTA history, Grand Three Theft Auto IV’s “Three-Leaf Clover”, laid the foundation for the Heist system in Grand Theft Auto V. One of the most enjoyable presentations you will have during the mission and the rest of the game is Packie McCreary.
During a random event in GTA 5, he appears where the player encounters two men setting up a drug store. The player can then choose to drive them to safety. He will be available as a shooter for Heists in the game, which is neat.
2) Rocco Pelosi
Rocco Pelosi, who initially appeared in the franchise as one of the main villains of GTA IV, is a relentlessly annoying and contemptible character. So if he is beaten in the hands of Michael in GTA 5, it feels more satisfying.
He appeared in the play as a talent agent trying to kick off Richard Solomon’s actor and director. Michael defeats his plans with the above punch and flies the talent back to Richard.
1) Lazlow
Purely according to the number of credit appearances, Lazlow has probably appeared in the franchise several times already. Since Lazlow first appeared as a radio host, Lazlow appears as a fictionalized version of himself in GTA 5. He is the host of the infamous TV show Fame or Shame.
His appearance in the game was extremely hypocritical because he played an extremely exaggerated version of himself. Apart from his actions, Lazlow was also involved in CTA’s creative process CTA regarding writing.
He will also be working on Red Dead Redemption 2 as a writer and sound director.