Founder Dan Houser Says There’s No Right Way to Play an Open
IGN • • technology
Key Points:
- Dan Houser, Rockstar co-founder and writer for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, values players enjoying the game world more than completing the story, emphasizing player agency and fun within the open-world systems.
- Houser and his creative partner Lazlow highlighted their love for embedding deep Easter eggs in their games, sometimes taking years for players to discover, as demonstrated by a seven-year-old mystery found in Red Dead Redemption 2.
- The duo discussed the challenge of creating satirical game worlds that initially seem absurd but can become eerily reflective of real-world events, citing examples like GTA 5’s characters and in-game media campaigns.
- Lazlow described the extensive effort to build immersive, hyper-ridiculous satire across multiple in-game media platforms, ensuring consistency and tone that align with Houser’s vision for player experience.
- The conversation underscored the evolving nature of open-world games, where storytelling is considered "icing on the cake," and the core enjoyment comes from interacting with the game’s systems and environment.