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Entertainment • Video Game

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is a 2013 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Grand Theft Auto V is a 2013 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the seventh main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series and the fifteenth overall instalment. The game is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, inspired by Southern California, and follows three protagonists involved in heists and criminal activity.

Gameplay

Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure game played from third-person and, in later versions, first-person perspectives. Players can explore the world freely and switch between the three main protagonists during the story.

Setting and story

The game takes place in San Andreas, a fictional state modeled on Southern California. Its narrative follows Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips as they plan and carry out heists under pressure from criminal and government forces.

Release and platforms

The game launched on 17 September 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Enhanced versions later appeared for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Commercial performance

Grand Theft Auto V broke industry sales records shortly after release. It was widely anticipated and became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, earning $800 million in its first day and $1 billion in its first three days.

Key facts

  • The game was first released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013.
  • It is the seventh main game in the Grand Theft Auto series and the fifteenth game overall.
  • The single-player story centers on three playable protagonists.
  • The game is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, including the city of Los Santos.
  • It became one of the fastest-selling entertainment products in history, earning $800 million in its first day and $1 billion in its first three days.
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Canadian context

Grand Theft Auto V has a large Canadian player base and is widely available in Canada across console and PC platforms. Its publisher, Rockstar Games, is part of Take-Two Interactive, a company with significant North American market presence.

Frequently asked questions

What is Grand Theft Auto V?
It is a 2013 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.
What series does it belong to?
It is part of the Grand Theft Auto series, specifically the seventh main entry and the fifteenth instalment overall.
Who are the main characters?
The story follows Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips.
Where is the game set?
It is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, which is based on Southern California.
When was it first released?
It was first released on 17 September 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Why is it notable commercially?
It broke sales records and became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, with $800 million earned on day one and $1 billion in three days.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_V
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release date, series position, setting, protagonists, and commercial performance.
  2. GTA Wiki (Fandom) — https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_V
    Supports: Alternate naming, series context, and main characters.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103188/
    Supports: Alternative title 'GTA 5'.