Niko Bellic: Difference between revisions

'''Niko Bellic''' ('''Croatian''': ''Niko Belić'') ('''Serbian''': ''Нико Белић'') is the playable [[character type::protagonist]] of [[appearance::Grand Theft Auto IV]]. Born [[1978]] in [[wp:Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]], he worked as a soldier in the [[wp:Yugoslav Wars|Yugoslav Wars]] during adolescence, as a young man he worked as a smuggler, smuggling mainly across the [[wp:Adriatic Sea|Adriatic Sea]] and later as a gun-for-hire for organized crime syndicates in the [[United States]], specifically, [[Liberty City in GTA IV Era|Liberty City]].

Work was hard to come by following the war. In 1998 Niko's cousin, Roman had already moved to [[United States of America|America]] to start a new life in Liberty City. Niko tells [[Kate McReary]] that after Roman left Yugoslavia, Roman's mother was raped and murdered but to spare Roman further devastation, he told him she died in a house fire. Niko did at least one prison stint in Europe (that was definitely not for his war crimes as Niko would either be in prison for life or executed) , then worked as a human trafficker for [[Ray Bulgarin]]. During a smuggling run from Yugoslavia to Italy the boat sank in the Adriatic, Niko swam to safety, but everything and everyone else was lost. Bulgarin believed that Niko had intentionally scuttled the ship and stole his money; the gangster's reach was too great within Europe, so Niko joined the merchant navy to escape Bulgarin's influence.

It is unknown what happens to Niko after the events of Grand Theft Auto IV, however it can be assumed that after the '''Revenge''' ending Niko stays in Liberty City as Roman and his new family are pretty much all he has. As most of the people who would want to kill Niko are dead anyway, he wouldn't feel as if he needs to look over his shoulder anymore. Even Ray Bulgarin had been [[Departure Time|recently killed]] elsewhere by Luis Lopez unbeknownst to Niko. It should be noted that coming up to the end of the game, Niko reveals to Kate McReary that he doesn't want to live the crime life anymore, so it is possible he may have ceased and cut all of his criminal ties. Meanwhile in the '''Deal''' ending, Niko tells Mallorie that "Your child will never worry about anything", suggesting he would have taken care of his dead cousin's child. Niko also mentions to Phil Bell that he is leaving the criminal life.

Niko's immigrant status is uncertain, and arouses the suspicion of the LCPD and [[FIB]]. Although Niko often protests while fleeing police that he "has [his] papers", Roman says that Niko does not have a visa.

The first name "Niko" is distinctively Croatian, rather than Serbian — the Serbian equivalent would be "Nikolaj". In the mission Final Interview, Tom Goldberg refers to Niko as "Nikolai", although this is an assumption on his part — he begins their interview by saying, "Hello Niko; what's that short for? Nikolai?" Niko does not respond and no one else calls him "Nikolai" in the game.

*As Niko is either a protagonist or not a traveling companion in each GTA IV-era game, he's not assigned a favorite radio station. However, he tells [[Little Jacob]] that "this city has some incredible music" and that he is a keen reggae fan. He tells [[Pathos]] and [[Patrick McReary]] that he doesn't really listen to rap music.

*During the GTA IV storyline, Niko wipes out 5 gangs which are the [[Faustin Family]], [[East Holland Drug Gang]], [[Rascalov Family]], and the [[Pegorino Family]]. He may have also ended the [[Ancelotti Family]], since two Capos, the Underboss and several members were killed by Niko Bellic. He was also involved in the end of the [[Lost MC]] Alderney chapter since Niko killed [[Jason Michaels]] and [[Jim Fitzgerald]].

*It has been comfirmed that Niko will not appear in [[Grand Theft Auto V]], however other characters from Grand Theft Auto IV apparently will.  

==Appearances==

;Grand Theft Auto IV

*[[Knowing Me, Knowing You]] <small>(Voice only) </small>

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