How are grand theft auto v and grand theft auto online connected?

Grand Theft Auto Online was released as a separate title in 2013, but it is officially the online component of Grand Theft Auto V, developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. Both games take place in the same fictional state of San Andreas, based on Southern California, and feature the same open‑world environment, including the city of Los Santos. In Grand Theft Auto Online players can customise their own characters and engage in cooperative or competitive game modes, exploring the countryside and city at their leisure. The game supports up to thirty players simultaneously in one instance, which is a key difference from the single‑player experience of Grand Theft Auto V. The core link between the two is that the online game uses the same engine, world assets, and narrative setting, but expands it into a persistent multiplayer experience.