As the Grand Theft Auto co-writer launches a new project, he reflects on his hugely successful open-world adventures and where game design might go next• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/ng-interactive/2021/nov/24/sign-up-for-pushing-buttons-keza-macdonalds-weekly-look-at-the-world-of-gaming">Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here</a>It is hard to think of a more modern entertainment format than the open-world video game. These sprawling technological endeavours, which mix narrative, social connectivity and the complete freedom to explore, are uniquely immersive and potentially endless. But do they represent a whole new idea of storytelling?This week I met Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar and lead writer on Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, who has been in London to talk about his new company, Absurd Ventures. He’s working on a range of intriguing projects, including the novel and podcast series <a href="https://www.absurdventures.com/abetterparadise">A Better Paradise</a> (about a vast online game that goes tragically wrong), and a comedy-adventure set in an online world named <a href="https://www.absurdventures.com/absurdaverse">Absurdaverse</a>. He told me that, 15 years ago, he was doing press interviews for the Grand Theft Auto IV expansion packs when he had something of a revelation about the series. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/dec/03/i-binged-on-victorian-novels-dan-houser-on-dickens-red-dead-redemption-and-redefining-open-world-games">Continue reading...</a>

دان هاوزر، المؤسس المشارك لشركة روكستار وكاتب السيناريو الرئيسي في ألعاب شهيرة مثل غراند ثفت أوتو وريد ديد ريدمبشن، أطلق مشروعًا جديدًا باسم أبسورد فنتشرز. خلال زيارته الأخيرة إلى لندن، ناقش مشاريعه القادمة، التي تشمل رواية وسلسلة بودكاست، بينما عكس على تطور ألعاب العالم المفتوح وإمكاناتها السردية.

Dan Houser, cofundador de Rockstar y guionista principal de juegos icónicos como Grand Theft Auto y Red Dead Redemption, ha lanzado una nueva empresa llamada Absurd Ventures. Durante su reciente visita a Londres, habló sobre sus próximos proyectos, que incluyen una novela y una serie de pódcast, mientras reflexionaba sobre la evolución de los videojuegos de mundo abierto y su potencial narrativo.

Dan Houser, co-fondateur de Rockstar et scénariste principal des jeux emblématiques comme Grand Theft Auto et Red Dead Redemption, a lancé une nouvelle entreprise nommée Absurd Ventures. Lors de sa récente visite à Londres, il a discuté de ses projets à venir, qui incluent un roman et une série de podcasts, tout en réfléchissant à l'évolution du jeu en monde ouvert et à son potentiel narratif.

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar and lead writer on iconic games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, has launched a new venture named Absurd Ventures. During his recent visit to London, he discussed his upcoming projects, which include a novel and a podcast series, while reflecting on the evolution of open-world gaming and its narrative potential.

Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games

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