What is the relationship between gta v story mode and gta online?

Grand Theft Auto Online functions as the online multiplayer expansion for Grand Theft Auto V, which includes both story mode and Online as distinct yet connected experiences. Both games are set in the same fictional state of San Andreas, featuring the city of Los Santos and surrounding countryside, allowing players to explore the identical open-world environment. While GTA V's story mode focuses on a single-player narrative following three protagonists, GTA Online launches players into a customizable multiplayer world where up to 30 players can engage in cooperative or competitive game modes. The evidence confirms Online was released as an additional feature after GTA V's initial launch, with staggered platform rollouts starting in 2013 for older consoles and expanding to newer systems through 2022. Though both games share the same world and core gameplay mechanics, Online operates independently with its own progression systems, economy, and multiplayer-focused activities rather than continuing or directly connecting to the story mode's narrative.