Choosing Deathwish in GTA 5: A Deep Dive into the Canon Ending

So, you’ve reached the pivotal moment in Grand Theft Auto V, the final mission. Franklin is faced with an impossible choice: kill Trevor, kill Michael, or… choose Deathwish. What happens if you pick Deathwish? In short, you trigger the canon ending, ensuring the survival of all three protagonists: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. More specifically, you embark on a series of intense missions where Michael, Franklin, and Trevor team up to eliminate all those who have sought their demise. Everyone lives, the three heroes get to continue their somewhat dysfunctional lives, and they each receive a substantial payout – roughly $20 million apiece, after the final heist’s earnings are divided. This is widely considered the “happy ending” for GTA 5, allowing players to continue experiencing the game with all three characters still available.

The Deathwish Scenario: A Breakdown

The Deathwish ending, also known as “Ending C” or “The Third Way,” isn’t just about avoiding the death of a beloved character; it’s about retribution and solidarity. Faced with pressure from both Steve Haines (the corrupt FIB agent) and Devin Weston (the ruthless billionaire), Franklin realizes the only way to ensure his and his friends’ survival is to fight back.

Here’s how it unfolds:

1. Gathering the Crew: Franklin calls Lester Crest, the mastermind behind the Union Depository heist, to strategize and assemble a team. Lester provides the tactical intelligence needed to pinpoint the locations of their enemies.

2. Eliminating Threats: The mission then splits into targeted assassinations. Each character takes on a specific enemy:

   • Trevor takes on Steve Haines. Trevor’s hatred for Haines, fueled by Haines’ betrayal and manipulation, makes this a personal vendetta.

   • Michael eliminates Stretch. Stretch, an old enemy of Franklin’s from his Grove Street days, is eliminated by Michael for his continuous betrayal, reminding Franklin of the consequences of choices.

   • Franklin is tasked with killing Wei Cheng, the leader of the Triads who has a vendetta against Trevor and Michael.

3. Taking Down Devin Weston: After dealing with the initial threats, the trio unites to confront Devin Weston. This involves a final showdown with Weston and his mercenaries, culminating in Weston being stuffed into the trunk of a car and pushed off a cliff into the ocean. This is the ultimate symbol of their victory and their commitment to each other.

4. Aftermath and Reward: With all their enemies eliminated, the protagonists are finally free from external threats. The tension between them eases, and they resume their lives, albeit with a newfound respect for each other. More importantly, they all survive and get their share of the Union Depository heist money, around $20 million each. The fact that each character is still playable after this choice cements its popularity amongst players who enjoy the game’s sandbox elements.

Why Choose Deathwish?

The Deathwish ending is the most satisfying for several reasons:

• Character Preservation: The most obvious advantage is that all three protagonists survive. This allows players to continue exploring Los Santos with their favorite characters. The emotional investment players have made over the course of the story is rewarded with a positive outcome.

• Moral Justification: Choosing to kill either Michael or Trevor feels inherently wrong, given the bond the characters have developed. The Deathwish ending aligns with a sense of justice and loyalty, where the protagonists stand together against their enemies.

• Gameplay Continuity: By keeping all three characters alive, players retain access to their unique abilities, vehicles, and safehouses. This ensures the full gameplay experience remains intact.

• Canon Status: Rockstar Games has strongly hinted that the Deathwish ending is the canonical conclusion to the GTA V story. This is supported by references in later GTA Online updates and further builds into the narrative, making it seem as though all the characters survived the final mission, thus solidifying this as the canon ending.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Deathwish

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Deathwish ending in GTA 5, covering everything from the financial implications to the long-term consequences:

1. How much money do I get if I choose Deathwish? Each character receives approximately $20 million after the final mission.

2. Can I still play as Michael and Trevor after choosing Deathwish? Yes! That’s the whole point. All three protagonists remain playable.

3. What happens to Steve Haines if I choose Deathwish? Trevor hunts down and kills Steve Haines, eliminating him as a threat.

4. Who does Franklin kill in the Deathwish ending? Franklin kills Wei Cheng, the leader of the Triads who has been causing trouble for Michael and Trevor.

5. What happens to Devin Weston if I choose Deathwish? All three protagonists kidnap Devin Weston, stuff him in the trunk of a car, and push the car off a cliff into the ocean.

6. Is Deathwish the ‘best’ ending in GTA 5? Many consider it the best ending because it ensures the survival of all three characters and aligns with a sense of justice. It’s also the implied canon ending of the game, as implied by the various GTA Online updates that mention characters from the main game.

7. Can I still get 100% completion if I choose Deathwish? Yes! Deathwish does not prevent you from achieving 100% completion. In fact, it’s the only ending that allows you to experience everything the game has to offer.

8. Does Deathwish affect my ability to do side missions? No. You can continue to do side missions and explore the world with all three characters.

9. Do Michael, Franklin, and Trevor become friends again after Deathwish? While their relationship remains complicated, they do develop a newfound respect and understanding for each other. Their bond remains intact, and they are still able to hang out together.

10. What are the alternatives to Deathwish? The other choices are:

    • Kill Trevor (Ending A): Franklin kills Trevor, and Michael helps. Franklin and Michael split Trevor’s share of the final heist.
    • Kill Michael (Ending B): Franklin kills Michael. Michael’s share of the final heist goes to his family, and Franklin gets nothing.

11. Why is Deathwish considered the canon ending? References and events in GTA Online point towards Deathwish being the canon ending, confirming that all three characters survived the events of GTA V.

12. Can I replay the final mission to see the other endings? Yes, but only if you have a save file from before you made the decision. Otherwise, you’ll need to start a new game.

13. Are there any downsides to choosing Deathwish? The only real “downside” is that you have to fight through a challenging final mission. However, most players see this as a positive experience.

14. Does choosing Deathwish change the way other characters react to me? No, the overall story world doesn’t change beyond the specific events of the final missions. Other characters continue to interact with you as they did before.

15. What does it teach us about learning through games in the Games Learning Society?

    Games offer complex choices with consequences, as seen in GTA 5’s Deathwish ending. This encourages critical thinking, moral reasoning, and strategic decision-making, which are essential skills discussed on websites like GamesLearningSociety.org, which explores the intersection of learning and gaming.

Final Thoughts

Choosing Deathwish in GTA 5 is more than just selecting an option; it’s making a statement about loyalty, friendship, and the power of unity. It’s a choice that ensures all three protagonists survive, allowing players to continue their adventures in Los Santos with their favorite characters. The Games Learning Society highlights how games can be a powerful tool for learning and development. The Deathwish ending is also considered the canon ending of GTA 5, meaning that it is the ending that is considered to be the “official” ending of the game by Rockstar Games. So, if you are faced with the choice of Deathwish in GTA 5, choose Deathwish, because the other options are not as good.