Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, will be leaving the company in March 2020, a Take-Two document reveals. Houser and his brother, Sam Houser, have long been instrumental in shaping the developer's creative vision. Dan Houser, whose official titles include Vice President, is credited with being a writer on every Grand Theft Auto title as well as Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2.
It's a significant departure in the sense that the Houser brothers have been a part of the company since the beginning. "We are extremely grateful for his contributions. Rockstar Games has built some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful game worlds, a global community of passionate fans and an incredibly talented team, which remains focused on current and future projects," reads the aforementioned document.
Naturally, this announcement does raise a few questions. It's no secret that Rockstar Games' attention has become somewhat divided between single-player offerings and online multiplayer experiences, especially following the gigantic success of Grand Theft Auto Online. Without Houser supposedly spearheading traditional campaigns, fans may be wondering whether we'll see the company commit even more resources to its online endeavours. We'll have to wait and see how things take shape.
In any case, we wish Houser all the best in his future endeavours. Alongside the other creatives at Rockstar, he's helped deliver some of the most memorable moments that we've ever encountered in gaming.
[source ir.take2games.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 26
It’s a shame to see him go, the brothers have been stalwarts in the industry, releasing hit after hit. I wonder if he’ll do more in the industry or take this opportunity to retire comfortably.
Well now we know why there hasn't been any word about GTA VI. It's never good for the company when key people like Houser Brothers leave. R.I.P. Rockstar and good GTA games.
Wouldn't be at all surprised now if the next GTA game is a mobile game or slot machine.
@Genrou There hasn't been news on GTA VI because V is still selling and it could still a couple of years away at least.
@Grimwood I agree you might want to edit or remove your comment if it's that dumb.
@Genrou At the same time, they released Red Dead 2 with a far better single player component than GTA Vs and that was post GTA Online. The game might be focused on Online now but they definitely still want to deliver single player experiences.
@Genrou @Grimwood Now now lads, let's not derail the comment section with daft insults. I'm sure we can all get along.
End of an era. He's one of the most talented writers in the industry. Sad to see him go.
Sad. Sam and Dan were both what made Rockstar games so special.
This is seismic. This is the end of an era. This is the man who gave us John Maston, Arthur Morgan, Trevor, etc.
Rockstar games will never be the same.
Woah, that's huge.
All the best, Mr Rockstar. I'm a bit gutted about this news, we all know about BioWare's steady decline after the doctors left.
After bioware and blizzard, I'm beginning to worry if some of important staff leaves the company, I hope rockstar will still prioritize single player campaign and not just focused on multiplayer part.
@Orpheus79V that's what she said.
Interesting, of course. How it'll pan out for future games by R*, we'll just have to wait and see. Personally I've felt for a while now that this particular Houser wasn't all that good of a writer. So this could all be for the better. I'm almost shocked that RDR2 didn't get more(or any?) flak in the story department. It was seriously bland and lacking ...
But this is just my opinion. No harm intended.
Get him signed up quick naughty dog.
He's not gonna need the money but if he still wants to make amazing games with an incredible story, he could do worse. Maybe ND are looking to expand.
I mean, I can dream right 😆
Imagine if this is the beginning of the end for Rockstar....
I would throw money at Dan Houser to get him his own Sony Studio though, that could be an insane move to announce for the next generation of Playstation.
This worries me.
I won't overreact until i see the inevitavle reveal for GTA 6 sometime this decade.
Remember the old days when we were concerned Take Two would be bought out by EA & they'd ruin GTA etc., by making them grindy annual online based releases? Fun times! Who'd thought Strauss Zelnick would end up using that idea...only missing the "annual" bit but has been on record wanting smaller campaigns. Seems like he's gonna get his wish come rockstar's next release.
It's shocking, needs more answers. Well Sam is still there and with the level Rockstar are at now in the way of finances and a team larger than ever before I don't see Rockstar just failing all because one person left like some of you are quick to suggest. Who knows Dan probably wants to just lay back and chill because he said he was having a hard time writing something for GTA6 in this social climate where it's hard to not offend anyone. He can catch a break he's been writing since forever.
As long as Daniel Radcliffe is still there, all is well.
He could just be leaving for an ‘early retirement’ too. He has to have so much money he probably could have stopped working years ago.
I just started playing rdr online and it seems like there’s still a story there too, so might not be a nefarious change on take two’s part.
Fair play to him, he gets to live in the Maldives in his pants with millions of pounds in the bank (as well as future profits as I'm sure he has substantial stock options). Live the dream man!
I think we’re forgetting a certain Leslie Benzies (ex head of Rockstar North and a massive input to GTAV.... and GTAIII). He also reportedly stepped in to sort out the Housers’ mess during the final stages of RDR at Rockstar San Diego. So, not only am I not fussed about Houser’s departure, I think Rockstar’s been through this before with Benzies strange exit from the company and will survive. Now bring on GTA London and a p-take of the Brits! 🤞
After 22 years i would understand that someone would like too try something new and fresh. Im not a GTA fan but for the fans its probably not so bad that after 2 decades someone else will get a shot.
Sony, give the man his own studio and let him run wild.
This is very unexpected! I wonder how this will affect the future!
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