Yes, all three main characters in Grand Theft Auto V—Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips—can survive the events of the game. Their survival depends entirely on a pivotal decision made during the game's final mission.
How to Ensure All Three Survive
The fate of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor is determined by Franklin's choice in the game's concluding chapter. While two options lead to the death of one of the protagonists, there is a third, optimal path that ensures all three remain alive. This option is known as "Deathwish" (also commonly referred to as "The Third Way" or "Option C").
By selecting "Deathwish," Franklin chooses to defy orders and, instead of eliminating either Michael or Trevor, teams up with both of them to confront and eliminate their collective enemies. This leads to a climactic series of events where the trio works together to secure their survival.
Final Mission Outcomes
Here is a summary of the possible endings and their impact on the protagonists:
| Final Mission Option | Outcome for Michael | Outcome for Trevor | Outcome for Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Michael | Deceased | Survives | Survives |
| Kill Trevor | Survives | Deceased | Survives |
| Deathwish | Survives | Survives | Survives |
As clearly shown, the "Deathwish" option is the only one that allows all three main characters to survive the storyline and remain playable in the game's open world after the credits roll.
Understanding the "Deathwish" Ending
The "Deathwish" ending provides a resolution where the dysfunctional alliance of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor ultimately triumphs over their adversaries. This path sees Franklin refuse the pressure from Devin Weston to kill one of his friends. Instead, he orchestrates a complex plan to take down every significant enemy who has wronged them throughout their criminal escapades in Los Santos.
This choice culminates in an action-packed, multi-stage mission where the three protagonists, leveraging their unique skills and combat abilities, eliminate a wide array of antagonists, including corrupt FIB agents, rival gangsters, and powerful private security forces. The "Deathwish" ending is often considered the "true" or most satisfying conclusion by many players, as it preserves the core cast and allows for continued exploration and completion of side activities with all three distinct personalities.
