Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and a pivotal figure behind the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, has shared his reflections on his departure from the company and the future of its beloved franchises. In a recent conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, Houser expressed a unique sentiment about the potential development of Red Dead Redemption 3, revealing that he would feel a deeper sense of loss if the game were to continue without his involvement.
Reflections on Legacy and Change
Having stepped away from Rockstar in 2020 following the successful launch of Red Dead Redemption 2, Houser now helms Absurd Ventures, a multimedia development company exploring various creative avenues, including comic books and a new open-world game. While he embraces this new chapter with enthusiasm, he acknowledges the emotional weight of leaving behind a franchise that has been a significant part of his life for over two decades. With lead writing credits on more than ten games, he admits, “It’s a big change, and sad in a way.” However, he finds solace in the fact that GTA 6 is unfolding from a distance, a different experience compared to the cohesive narrative of the Red Dead series.
“Each of the [GTA] games was kind of a standalone story,” he noted. “It’s not quite the same; I think it probably would be, in some ways, sadder if someone continued on Red Dead, because it was a cohesive two-game arc.” He recognizes that while he no longer owns the intellectual property, the privilege of contributing to such projects remains a cherished aspect of his career.
Creative Choices and Storytelling
Diving into the storytelling mechanics of both franchises, Houser shared intriguing insights about character arcs and narrative decisions. He revealed a desire to have taken a darker turn in GTA 4, where he initially envisioned the protagonist Niko meeting a tragic end. “The games don’t really end, and you have to be able to wander around the world and do stuff,” he explained, highlighting the balance between narrative closure and gameplay freedom.
In discussing Red Dead Redemption, Houser reflected on the decision to introduce Jack, John Marston’s son, as a replacement protagonist. “Whether that was the right ending, 100% the best ending from a pure storytelling perspective, I don’t know,” he admitted, hinting at the complexities of merging gameplay mechanics with narrative depth.
Unfinished Projects and Future Aspirations
Houser also touched on the unfinished GTA 5 DLC that featured Trevor as a secret agent, a project he estimates was about half complete before being shelved. He acknowledged that prioritizing GTA Online ultimately led to compromises, stating, “I like single-player DLC. I just think the audience loves it, and it’s really fun to make.” At Absurd, he aims to focus on open-world single-player experiences, recognizing the challenges of launching a multiplayer-centric new IP.
While he remains open to the possibility of incorporating multiplayer elements in future projects, Houser emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong single-player narrative. “I’d love to, with all of those, keep single-player DLC going, one way or another,” he remarked.
The Americana Influence
Reflecting on the cultural essence of the GTA series, Houser noted the inherent connection to Americana that shapes its narratives. He described the challenges of creating a game set outside this context, stating, “You needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters. It just felt like the game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider’s perspective.” He acknowledged the difficulties of crafting sharp, satirical stories in a rapidly changing world, where the long lead times of game development complicate timely commentary.
For those intrigued by Houser’s insights into his time at Rockstar, his current endeavors with Absurd Ventures, and the evolving landscape of video game storytelling, the full interview offers a wealth of thought-provoking perspectives. As anticipation builds for the release of GTA 6, the gaming community eagerly awaits to see whether Rockstar will revisit the Old West or continue to push the boundaries of narrative-driven gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto’s Dan Houser would be “sadder” to see Red Dead Redemption 3 happen without him than GTA 6
Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and a pivotal figure behind the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, has shared his reflections on his departure from the company and the future of its beloved franchises. In a recent conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, Houser expressed a unique sentiment about the potential development of Red Dead Redemption 3, revealing that he would feel a deeper sense of loss if the game were to continue without his involvement.
Reflections on Legacy and Change
Having stepped away from Rockstar in 2020 following the successful launch of Red Dead Redemption 2, Houser now helms Absurd Ventures, a multimedia development company exploring various creative avenues, including comic books and a new open-world game. While he embraces this new chapter with enthusiasm, he acknowledges the emotional weight of leaving behind a franchise that has been a significant part of his life for over two decades. With lead writing credits on more than ten games, he admits, “It’s a big change, and sad in a way.” However, he finds solace in the fact that GTA 6 is unfolding from a distance, a different experience compared to the cohesive narrative of the Red Dead series.
“Each of the [GTA] games was kind of a standalone story,” he noted. “It’s not quite the same; I think it probably would be, in some ways, sadder if someone continued on Red Dead, because it was a cohesive two-game arc.” He recognizes that while he no longer owns the intellectual property, the privilege of contributing to such projects remains a cherished aspect of his career.
Creative Choices and Storytelling
Diving into the storytelling mechanics of both franchises, Houser shared intriguing insights about character arcs and narrative decisions. He revealed a desire to have taken a darker turn in GTA 4, where he initially envisioned the protagonist Niko meeting a tragic end. “The games don’t really end, and you have to be able to wander around the world and do stuff,” he explained, highlighting the balance between narrative closure and gameplay freedom.
In discussing Red Dead Redemption, Houser reflected on the decision to introduce Jack, John Marston’s son, as a replacement protagonist. “Whether that was the right ending, 100% the best ending from a pure storytelling perspective, I don’t know,” he admitted, hinting at the complexities of merging gameplay mechanics with narrative depth.
Unfinished Projects and Future Aspirations
Houser also touched on the unfinished GTA 5 DLC that featured Trevor as a secret agent, a project he estimates was about half complete before being shelved. He acknowledged that prioritizing GTA Online ultimately led to compromises, stating, “I like single-player DLC. I just think the audience loves it, and it’s really fun to make.” At Absurd, he aims to focus on open-world single-player experiences, recognizing the challenges of launching a multiplayer-centric new IP.
While he remains open to the possibility of incorporating multiplayer elements in future projects, Houser emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong single-player narrative. “I’d love to, with all of those, keep single-player DLC going, one way or another,” he remarked.
The Americana Influence
Reflecting on the cultural essence of the GTA series, Houser noted the inherent connection to Americana that shapes its narratives. He described the challenges of creating a game set outside this context, stating, “You needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters. It just felt like the game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider’s perspective.” He acknowledged the difficulties of crafting sharp, satirical stories in a rapidly changing world, where the long lead times of game development complicate timely commentary.
For those intrigued by Houser’s insights into his time at Rockstar, his current endeavors with Absurd Ventures, and the evolving landscape of video game storytelling, the full interview offers a wealth of thought-provoking perspectives. As anticipation builds for the release of GTA 6, the gaming community eagerly awaits to see whether Rockstar will revisit the Old West or continue to push the boundaries of narrative-driven gameplay.