Rockstar Games released its most successful entry in theGrand Theft Autoseries,Grand Theft Auto 5almost 10 years ago in 2013. Over a decade since, Rockstar has continued to expand, improve, and remasterGrand Theft Auto 5across multiple consoles with a breadth of engaging content.
WithGrand Theft Auto 6confirmed to be in the works but without a confirmed release date or solid development details, it’s worth revisitingGrand Theft Auto 5and understanding why the game excelled.Grand Theft Auto 5offers something for everyone, and it’s this versatility and commitment to players that helped inform its lead characters' designs.
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Trevor Phillips
Trevor is one of the most memorable characters fromGrand Theft Auto 5thanks in-part to his deranged mental state and disregard for any kind of restraint. This instability makes Trevor a stand-in for thechaotic and destructive fans ofGrand Theft Autowho approach the game as a sandbox to fulfill their fantasies through guns, vehicles, and more. Rockstar facilitates this destructive compulsion by pairing the player with an equally violent character, sending them on rampage missions or enabling them with Trevor’s special invincibility skill.
By extending this thinking, many players similarly believe that Trevor and his unhinged design are indicative ofGrand Theft Auto’s roots, back when the series was still comprised oftop-down 2D games.Grand Theft Auto 1and2were games that focused less on their stories and more on giving players freedom. They were not the most technologically advanced games of their time, but they were not sold on the basis of their immersive experiences like future entries would be.
Trevor parallels this ethos, serving as Rockstar allowing the player to let loose and have fun without feeling constrained. Designed not to be a character to relate to, Rockstar ensured thatTrevor’s still fun and enjoyable a characterfor the player to live vicariously through.
Franklin Clinton
Moving to the more traditional type ofGrand Theft Autoplayer, Franklin serves as the ideal embodiment of how the game ought to be played. Formed from the rags-to-riches story of a good-natured individual who wants to move up in the world,Franklin is the perfectcareer criminal. At the start of the game, he serves as a fledging criminal the player can mold however they like across the game. This aligns with the very foundation thatGrand Theft Autois predicated on, seeing the player expand their wealth, earn street cred, and accumulate influence until they’re at the very top. Franklin is the everyman for players, and it’s a formula that Rockstar has used across plenty of its games since adopting more story-driven approach.
Franklin and CJ fromGrand Theft Auto: San Andreashave a lot in common. Both characters come from disadvantaged backgrounds, both see criminal life as a means of escaping the hood and making a life, and by the end they have both achieved what they wanted. ManyGrand Theft Autogames from3toVice Cityfollow this pattern. Franklin is therefore Rockstar’s expectation of howGrand Theft Autoshould be played, and has designed Franklin in such a way that he best serves to enable that standard experience.
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Michael De Santa
Lastly, Michael represents the players who come after the likes of Franklin. Rockstar is aware many of its players have grown up alongside the series, so the experiences thatGrand Theft Autooffers them are par-for-the-course. Michael is the veteran player, himself being a successful career criminal who has seemingly retired. He is the type of player who has already spent the last decade chasing that criminal lifestyle and embarking ondangerousGrand Theft Auto-style heiststo earn his fortune, and now is finding new ways to enjoy life. Players who relate with Michael recognize a greater need for multifaceted characters with a deeper story than what Franklin might offer. Thus, Rockstar set Michael up as a criminal who needs to make amends and recapture his passion, an emotionality that draws in veteran players.
Grand Theft Autohas seen a significant shift in its narrative focus with games such asGrand Theft Auto 4, Liberty City Stories,and additional DLC content likeThe Ballad of Gay Tony.These games introduce players to characters who are complex and have lives beyond whatever the player ascribes to them. Niko came toLiberty City inGrand Theft Auto 4to make a new life for himself, but through criminal connections he similarly moves into the life of crime like Michael does when he comes out of retirement. Rockstar offers Michael to players as a more nuanced, interesting character they can relate to easily, one who can simultaneously provide moral challenges while rekindling their excitement for high-stakes crimes.
Grand Theft Auto 5is available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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