Michael DeSanta is living the American Dream because there are instances in GTA V and other Rockstar Games which reference and symbolize the dream. In fact, one of his character lines that are preset in campaign mode is, “Ain’t the American Dream grand?”. Of course, Michael’s tone is sarcastic and blunt like he is with most things, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that willingly or unwillingly he is striving for the American Dream whatever it might be for him. There is an achievement in GTA V named the American Dream which consists of owning an apartment, a garage, and a vehicle. Since story mode starts off with Michael already having these things in an extravagant way, one would say that Rockstar Games considers Michael as someone who is living the American Dream. Rockstar Games also has a very deep history in its games when it comes to the American Dream. For example, Red Dead Redemption and GTA IV both include major themes of the American Dream. In Red Dead Redemption the protagonist is robbing a bank and is shot and left for dead. He miraculously survives and settles down and forgets about his past crimes. And then his past comes back to haunt him. This setting is very similar to Michael’s the only major differences are the time they were set in and the characters themselves. But the backstory is very similar. RDR also gave the protagonist, Marston a fresh start. A fresh start to attain his American Dream. In GTA IV, we see the case of a Serbian immigrant who comes to American with high hopes leaving his life of crime behind. Instead, he finds lies and more crime. The immigrant adapts to the situation and campaigns for his American Dream. These precedents show that Rockstar Games has a deep history regarding their protagonists venturing off and fighting for their American Dream.