Dan Houser rules out future GTA games outside America
The Grand Theft Auto series will likely remain rooted in American settings despite fan requests for international locations, according to former Rockstar Games writer Dan Houser. Speaking during an appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast, Houser said the franchise connects deeply with American themes and culture in ways that would prove difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Rockstar released a small expansion set in Britain called GTA London 1969 more than two decades ago for the original PlayStation. Houser described that project as an enjoyable mission pack, but suggested a complete game outside America would struggle. He explained the series relies on elements like widespread firearms and outsized personalities that feel distinctly American. Though Houser departed the studio in early 2020 after 22 years, his perspective reflects the longstanding creative philosophy at Rockstar.
During the same conversation, Houser identified Niko Bellic from GTA IV as his preferred protagonist across the series, praising the character’s moral complexity. He also highlighted performances by voice actors who portrayed CJ in San Andreas and Michael De Santa in GTA V as particularly memorable.
