Is gta online a separate game from the main gta story?

Grand Theft Auto Online functions as an online expansion and multiplayer mode for Grand Theft Auto V rather than a standalone title. Released in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it was designed to extend the lifespan of GTA V by offering cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences within the same open-world environment. Players can freely explore Los Santos and San Andreas, the same settings featured in the single-player campaign of GTA V, and engage in activities like heists, races, and gunfights. Unlike the narrative-driven single-player mode, GTA Online allows up to 30 players to interact in a persistent world, with ongoing updates and content additions. While it introduces its own missions and mechanics, it does not continue the main story of GTA V but instead operates as a parallel, multiplayer-focused experience tied to the same game universe.