GTA Timeline theories/ideal resolutions: Part 1

[GTA III]

• Fading mythology within Liberty City surrounding Claude Speed should be expected. He’s going to crash and burn. He was as efficient as a sociopathic hired gun could be, but his luck was only going to run out in due time. Especially with all the prices on his head.

•  I’ve always known the gunshot heard in III’s credits to be just a simple transition. In spite of that, I’ve grown more welcoming to the idea that Claude shot Maria. What really does this idea in for me is Catalina asking Claude if he even cares to rescue Maria. The answer to that was always no. Claude only looked out for himself. Everything seen in “The Exchange” was just textbook act of vengeance taking place.

 

While it’s true I don’t see a bright future for Claude no matter where he’s at; Liberty City’s criminal underworld will have more lows than highs even as most still want Claude dead.


• Leone Crime Family will suffer tremendously before what’s left in Portland will fall in line with the current Mafia scene in Liberty. Toni and Joey’s leadership will be far from prosperous. Salvatore Leone’s Gentleman’s Club was a ghost house for sitting heroin by the time GTA IV comes along. A sad fall from grace. Salvatore’s absence was felt, he was a book of the old. Liberty Tree articles/law enforcement even stated they prefer streets operated by Leones over the newer set of organizations.

• SPANK as a drug by the end of III’s story was pretty much put to bed. Massive blow for the Colombian Cartel and the Yardies, but most especially the Cartel.

• The Colombian Cartel outlived their usefulness in Liberty City, even disregarding the Cochrane Dam Massacre. The Russian Mob years later would take their place in the major drug trade of LC.

•  Yakuza became fairly powerful in Liberty by the end of 2001. Arguably on top of it all even after the demise of Asuka & Kenji Kasen. However, they most likely acknowledged the turmoil exhibited in the city and continued their business away from the west where they could still flourish.

• Hoods, Yardies & Diablos would keep rockin’ it by GTA IV. The Red Jacks would become no better than Purple Nines until eventually being retired/less caring of their colors. There’s no longer any moral high ground with what’s being put on the streets after SPANK fell out of style.