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Dan Houser, co-creator of theGrand Theft Autoseries, has gone to great lengths to talk about how the studio handles the immersion in theGTAgames.GTAis known for its immersive worlds, rich storytelling, and a unique ability to mirror real life. And yet one criticism of the franchise is this very thing.
In defense of the game’s absurd depiction of real life, Houser says that it only works because these elements mirror real life. From the ads on the wall to the gritty streets of Los Santos and Liberty City,GTAthrives on blending the extraordinary with the mundane.
Dan Houser’s Philosophy For The World of GTA is Solid
Houser’s philosophy on game design focuses on the interplay between different environments, such as the urban sprawl of Los Santos and the vast rural landscapes inGTA V.
This contrast between city and countryside not only adds variety to gameplay but also mirrors the socio-political divides found in real life.
But that’s exactly the way the world is, or the modern world, or the postmodern world, whatever we’re meant to call it now. You can never escape this stuff.
He highlighted how real life often juxtaposes the mundane with the outrageous, a reality theGTAseries aims to replicate. This chaotic realism anchors the player in a world that feels simultaneously absurd and authentic.
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Houser has describedGTAas a combination of urban planning, architecture, and cinematic storytelling. The design of each city in the franchise involves meticulous planning to translate and depict the essence of real-world locations.
GTA is the b*stard child of many different parents. It’s more urban planning than architecture, though…. you have to capture the essence of what’s really there in a city, but in a far smaller area. It’s a great, great skill.
Houser and his team at Rockstar approach city-building as a form of narrative. Unlike simple backdrops for gameplay, cities inGTAare living characters. Liberty City’s gritty ambiance resembles real-life New York City inGTA IVbecause of the little details added to the world.
Red Dead Redemption 2Feels More Real, But It Doesn’t Have The Absurdity ofGTA
Immersion inGTAhas also been driven by its evolving non-playable characters (NPCs) and artificial intelligence. InGTA IV’sLiberty City, NPCs had detailed routines, from commuting to work to taking photos of landmarks.
Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemption 2(RDR2) set a new standard for open-world immersion, with its meticulous attention to detail and NPC interactions. It built upon what Rockstar already did withGTA IVandVand took it to the next level.
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WithGTA VIon the horizon, it’s only natural thatwe expect more innovationin that aspect. While RDR2’s slower pace allowed players to absorb its environment,GTA’s high-speed gameplay is full of action. As Houser notes, achieving this balance is a complex art.
While Houser left Rockstar in 2020, his influence onGTAis unmistakable. His insistence on blending humor, chaos, and realism has set the franchise apart from others in the genre.
WithGTA VIbeing described as “the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet,” expectations are sky-high. If Houser’s ideals are still followed, it will also lean into the absurdities that make life, andGTA, so compelling.
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. You can also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
