Some storyline missions, side missions and hobbies will only be available to a specific character while random encounters can be encountered and completed by any protagonist. When the player chooses another character, the protagonist 'left behind' remains in his location for a short period of time if the newly controller character returns to the location where the other character was left, the two will interact and can optionally take part in non-mission activities together.
The three protagonists have their own lives and, when not chosen, continue with their daily routines, occasionally resulting in the player continuing the activity. One mission also allows the player to swap to Chop, a Rottweiler dog owned by Lamar Davis but looked after by Franklin. Certain missions involve two or all three protagonists, allowing the player to switch between them to assist in completing the mission.
Grand Theft Auto V features three playable protagonists, a first for the GTA series: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and Trevor Philips, with the player able to swap between the three when not on certain missions or wanted by the police.
