Ex-GTA boss Dan Houser has an explanation for why he believes the Grand Theft Auto franchise has been so successful for Rockstar Games, and it might not surprise you, but it’s fascinating hearing him recall some history.
In a brief conversation with Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch on November 23, the English producer and writer was asked if what led to GTA’s mega-success had anything to do with the fact that the game is this sort of simulation for the version of ourselves that we can’t actually live out.
“I think partly,” Houser said. “I think it’s partly that, partly it put you in this exaggerated cinematic world, and mostly I would argue because it was this sense of freedom. Before that, games were either a shooting game or a driving game or a simulation game, and [GTA] was all three smashed together in a way that felt very free. And just, also, you know, when people talk about the metaverse or this digital world, those were the first games that showed you this idea of living in this fake place.”
This is an interesting perspective on the success of the GTA franchise. Freedom in gameplay certainly allows players to immerse themselves in a vast, dynamic world. It’s fascinating to see how this concept has shaped the series over the years.
I completely agree! The sense of freedom in gameplay really allows players to immerse themselves in the world. It’s fascinating how that open-ended design encourages creativity and exploration, making each player’s experience unique.