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If you’ve ever ventured into Steam’s community forums, you know they can make Twitter (or “X”—whichever you prefer) look like a peaceful garden party. Now, as Donald Trump gears up for his return to the White House, an unlikely alliance might be forming around the need to clean up gaming’s biggest digital marketplace.

A bombshell report from the Anti-Defamation League (Adl) has revealed some eye-opening statistics about Steam’s community features, prompting Senator Mark Warner to demand answers from Valve’s top brass. And here’s where it gets interesting: the incoming Trump administration might actually be on board with cracking down on these issues, albeit for their own reasons.

Senator Mark R. Warner. | Image Credit: Mark Warner/Cc By-sa 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

With major releases like GTA 6 on the horizon and the gaming industry bracing for increased scrutiny, we might be witnessing a perfect storm where...

Rockstar Games finds itself in uncharted territory as GTA 6‘s Fall 2025 release looms on the horizon. With Donald Trump’s unexpected return to the Oval Office, the franchise’s signature blend of satire and social commentary faces its toughest challenge yet.

As the lines between parody and reality blur, Sam Houser’s long-standing vision for the iconic series now teeters on a knife’s edge.

A potential threat to the very foundation upon which the series was built. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

The gaming community holds its collective breath, wondering if GTA‘s legendary irreverence can survive in a world that often feels beyond satire. With billions of dollars and the legacy of gaming’s most iconic franchise at stake, Rockstar’s next move could redefine the industry—or signal the end of an era.

GTA 6 and the Trump Effect

The irony isn’t lost on anyone familiar with Dan Houser’s 2018 GQ interview.

Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is one of the most anticipated video game releases in history. Fans have been waiting for years for Rockstar Games to deliver the next chapter in its iconic open-world series. The excitement has only grown since it dropped the game’s first trailer last year. The teaser offered a glimpse of what’s to come, showcasing a modern version of Vice City and hinting at a new, dynamic cast of characters.

Players are still waiting to learn more about the game. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Since that teaser, the studio has been surprisingly silent and only revealed that the game is slated for a Spring 2025 release. Fans are still left in the dark, with little to no new information beyond that initial trailer. While leaks and rumors about the title have been swirling around, a hilarious picture of a fake GTA 12 was spotted at some random video game store.

Neil Druckmann has just revealed that the new game from Naughty Dogs has been in the works since 2020, and there is a high chance that it gets announced later this year, one year prior to its release, a strategy Sony has been using for a long time now.

Druckmann is excited to share news about his new game. Image Credit: Jon Kopaloff (Getty Images)

The game Druckmann is talking about is anticipated to be The Last of Us 3. This is a strong assumption given the time given for its development, which roughly accounts for almost 5 years, which is the average time needed to complete an Aaa title.

Neil Druckmann Is Excited To Announce His Next Game Naughty Dog’s next game anticipated to release next year. Image Credit: Naughty Dog

Druckmann shared his excitement about the next game he is working on through an online panel with Ken Levine; the...

Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 is often cited as one of the best action-adventure games of all time, however, even a masterpiece like RDR2 has some mistakes. Players on Reddit were discussing video games that violate their own logic and during the discussion, a gamer mentioned how Red Dead Redemption 2 completely eradicates the importance of donating to the camp as later Dutch van der Linde reveals that they need more money.

Donating to the camp seems pointless to many players (Image via Rockstar Games)

A player suggested that Rockstar Games could’ve added an Easter egg ending that is triggered depending on the amount of money players have donated to the camp. This alternate ending could’ve featured the crew escaping and moving to Dutch’s favorite place, Tahiti.

This One Thing In Red Dead Redemption 2 Doesn’t Make Sense

A post on the r/gaming subreddit sparked a discussion...

When we think of Rockstar Games today, our minds immediately jump to Grand Theft Auto and its controversial yet groundbreaking impact on gaming culture. But long before GTA 6 became the most anticipated game of the decade, another title from the studio’s past pushed boundaries so far that it nearly caused an internal revolt.

A game so disturbing that the developers had to scramble for excuses. | Image Credit: Rockstar North

In 2003, while riding high on the success of GTA 3 and Vice City, the studio released a game that would make even their most controversial titles look tame by comparison. This wasn’t just another sandbox crime simulator—it was something far darker, more disturbing, and according to some former employees, crossed a line that many weren’t comfortable with.

The Game That Makes GTA Look Tame Cover art of Manhunt (2003). | Image Credit: Rockstar North

Manhunt, developed by Rockstar North, wasn...

Elden Ring is regarded as one of the greatest gaming titles of all time. This action-adventure title from FromSoftware was released in 2022 and since its release, it has sold more than 25 million copies. However, there are certain reasons for this huge success.

Elden Ring was released in 2022. | Credit: FromSoftware.

One of those major reasons is the godly difficult bosses we have to face in the game. Be it the Tree Spirits or the Tree Sentinels, facing these creatures might feel like a big headache, but it gives an immense sense of satisfaction after beating them. This feeling made a fan so motivated that he went on to cast his whole Elden Ring story through a sketchbook.

The Journey of an Artist’s Elden Ring to an Amazing 600-Page Sketchbook You can find every detail of Elden Ring in the 600-page sketchbook. | Credit: Artyz Artifacts.

A gifted artist named Artyz Artifacts...

When it comes to creating immersive open-world experiences, few studios can match the masterful touch of Rockstar Games. From the sprawling streets of Los Santos to the untamed wilderness of Red Dead Redemption, their worlds feel alive, purposeful, and perhaps most importantly, worth exploring.

GTA 5 continues to break records 11 years after its release. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

In a recent interview, Ben Hinchliffe, a former Rockstar developer who spent 13 years working on titles like L.A. Noire, Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, shared a fascinating insight into one of the studio’s most crucial design philosophies. His revelation might just explain why their games continue to dominate the industry, with GTA 5 recently surpassing an astounding 205 million copies sold.

The Secret Behind Rockstar’s Map Design

In a recent interview with GTAVIoclock, Hinchliffe pulled back the curtain on one of the most crucial aspects of Rockstar Games‘ development...

The anticipation surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is palpable. Gamers all across the globe are eagerly waiting for Rockstar Games’ next big release, which promises to push the boundaries of open-world gaming to new heights. With stunning graphics, an immersive world, and a narrative that’s sure to captivate, it is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the decade.

Players are super excited about the game’s release and can’t wait to learn more about the game. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

But recently, a new idea has emerged among the GTA community—one that could break the fourth wall harder than Ryan Reynolds did in Deadpool. Some players are calling for Rockstar to include the classic GTA 1 and GTA 2 inside GTA 6, turning them into a playable feature or even a mini-game. It’s a farfetched concept but it is perfect for...

Jack Black has become something of a video game movie veteran lately. From voicing Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie to bringing Claptrap to life in (the disastrous) Borderlands, and now gearing up for his role in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Minecraft (why?), the actor seems determined to leave his mark on every major gaming adaptation in Hollywood.

Jack Black as Steve in the upcoming Minecraft movie. | Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

But during a recent interview, Black expressed genuine surprise about one particular gaming franchise that hasn’t made the leap to the silver screen yet. The reason behind this particular franchise’s absence from Hollywood, as it turns out, is both fascinating and somewhat ironic.

And it all comes down to a decision made years ago by one of the gaming industry’s most influential figures.

Jack Black’s Take on Gaming’s Biggest Missing Movie...

Apart from GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2 has to be the biggest launch of Rockstar Games. Serving as the prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, this game is set in the United States in 1899 and depicts the journey of Arthur Morgan.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on October 26, 2018. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Initially, the game was heavily criticized because of its poor graphical optimization. The developers were quick to fix all the persisting issues, and later on, it went on to build a huge player base. However, there was a secret about the development of the game that was kept hidden until its release.

Dan Houser Breaks Secrecy About Red Dead Redemption 2 Development Rockstar Games has always been secretive about its game developments. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel rather than a sequel, but it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Western epic open-world series after eight long years.

Hollywood has been very vocal about their political stance and election opinions for the US presidential elections. Multiple celebrities boldly endorsed their preferred Democratic or Republican candidate. The results have shocked many, but Jimmy Kimmel was brought to tears during his monologue.

Owing to their banter, the long-standing friction between Donald Trump and the late-night talk show host has become public knowledge. The duo has been quite harsh and critical of each other’s actions and performances in their respective fields. But when and how exactly did the Television show host locked horns with the 45th President of the United States is an interesting story.

Where it all began: The battle of words Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Credits: ABC

Jimmy Kimmel may excel in his professional career as a talk show host, but there is nothing that excites him more than poking fun at a particular individual. Fans...

Apart from GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2 has to be the biggest launch of Rockstar Games. Serving as the prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, this game is set in the United States in 1899 and depicts the journey of Arthur Morgan.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on October 26, 2018. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Initially, the game was heavily criticized because of its poor graphical optimization. The developers were quick to fix all the persisting issues, and later on, it went on to build a huge player base. However, nobody thought that the game would go on to give chills to players’ spines, just like a typical horror title.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Mod Has Made the Game a Horror Title Catch the horses and wagons in Red Dead Redemption 2 if you can. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

With a mod that causes wagons and horses to move at absurd speeds, a Red Dead Redemption 2 modder is...

When Max Payne first stumbled onto our screens in 2001, few could have predicted how deeply his personal demons would resonate with players. The noir-inspired detective-turned-vigilante’s journey through grief, addiction, and redemption has become one of gaming’s most compelling character studies —thanks in large part to Remedy Entertainment’s, and later, Rockstar Games’ nuanced handling of these themes.

A still from the original Max Payne (2001). | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

In a fascinating 2012 interview, Dan Houser, the then vice president of creative at Rockstar Games, offered some intriguing insights into how the studio approached Max’s struggles with substance abuse. His comments revealed a complex philosophy about storytelling in games, particularly when it comes to tackling sensitive subjects.

The interview, conducted just before Max Payne 3‘s release, shed light on an interesting contradiction: while addiction was woven deeply into the game’s DNA, Rockstar insisted they weren’t trying to...

In the wave of uncertainty surrounding the release of GTA 6, another barrier has resurfaced that might hinder its speedy release in the fall of next year, which too is just an anticipated release window since Rockstar has its doors shut at the moment.

GTA 6’s release date is still quite uncertain. Image Credit: Rockstar

Despite the shaky release window anticipated by fans, there seems to be another problem that might cause the game’s release to get further pushed, and all of this is linked to Donald Trump winning the American elections.

Donald Trump’s Win Could Impact GTA 6’s Release Rockstar needs to break its silence on the matter. Image Credit: Rockstar

Amidst concerns over GTA 6’s release date, an old interview from 2018 of Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar, has resurfaced on the internet where he expressed concerns over releasing the game during a Trump tenure. He was...

Take-Two Interactive’s latest financial report has confirmed what millions of fans have been eagerly waiting to hear: GTA 6 is officially on track for its Fall 2025 release. While this news has sent waves of excitement through the gaming community, it also casts a long shadow over other titles planning to launch in the same window.

The behemoth that most other titles will want to steer clear of. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

History, as they say, has a funny way of repeating itself. Back in 2019, a promising RPG found itself caught in the crossfire of major Aaa releases, and now—six years later—its sequel seems destined for a similar fate. It’s a tale as old as the gaming industry itself: timing can make or break even the most ambitious of projects.

A Tale of Unfortunate Timing

When Greedfall launched in September 2019, it had the misfortune of sharing its release...

Few names in video game history resonate as strongly as Rockstar Games. The studio was established in 1998 and quickly garnered attention for creating groundbreaking titles that pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and open-world design. At the helm of this creative studio were the Houser brothers, Dan and Sam, who transformed Rockstar into a cultural phenomenon.

The studio faced various criticisms about its work-life culture. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

However, such success came with its fair share of challenges. In February 2020, the gaming community was taken aback by the announcement of Dan Houser’s departure from Rockstar. Dan’s exit marked a significant shift for the studio. The decision was heavily influenced by the backlash following an interview where he discussed the intense work hours leading up to the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Dan Houser’s Controversial Remarks Led to his Exit from Rockstar Games Dan’s...

Dan Houser was one of the main men behind legendary franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. He was the co-founder of Rockstar Games until 2020. Along with him, Jeffrey “Lazlow” Jones served as both an architect and a star of Grand Theft Auto.

Dan Houser left Rockstar Games in 2020. | Credit: Season 3 — Bookish with Sonya Walger

As a writer, actor, and producer on and within the games, he made a name for himself over two decades as a key senior member of a global development team that produced some of the most popular entertainment ever made. In the process of making these iconic games, Houser was the pioneer of a unique trope, Jones revealed.

Protagonists in Video Games Die Too, That’s How Dan Houser Made a Revolution Red Dead Redemption protagonist John Marston died in Red Dead Redemption 2. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Consider how Trevor is introduced in Grand...

The gaming industry has been increasingly defined by commercial expectations and critical scrutiny. Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar Games, already talked about this more than a decade ago. He noted that many reviewers overlook the central appeal of many games, including Grand Theft Auto (GTA).

A game is a sum of all its parts and should be judged as such. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Houser believes that checklist-style critiques which break games down into different parts fail to capture the cohesive experience that defines GTA and so many other games. According to him, this mindset not only overlooks key aspects of gaming but also dilutes it and ultimately harms the industry.

Dan Houser’s Words About Video Game Reviews Are Very True Today

One of the essential aspects of GTA, according to Houser, is its cohesiveness. In an interview with The Guardian before the release of Grand Theft Auto V,...

It’s a known fact that Red Dead Redemption 2 has smashed more records than anyone can keep track of and is widely regarded as Rockstar’s crown jewel. The game brought us the best-realized version of Wild West yet in gaming and some of the most deep and immersive characters.

Red Dead Redemption 2 featured phepnemal voice acting. Image Credit: Rockstar Games.

One of the best-known characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 is undoubtedly Arthur Morgan, who, voiced by Roger Clark, won the hearts of millions. However, you’ll be surprised to know that Red Dead Redemption 2‘s writer outright ignored the protagonist’s voice actor for his own sanity.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Writer Purposfully Avoided Arthur Morgan Va

One of the best ways to bring video game characters to real life is by hiring voice actors who then re-enact the dialogues and bring a touch of reality to the entire game.

Apart from GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2 has to be the biggest launch of Rockstar Games. Serving as the prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, this game is set in the United States in 1899 and depicts the journey of Arthur Morgan.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on October 26, 2018. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Initially, the game was heavily criticized because of its poor graphical optimization. However, the developers were quick to fix all the persisting issues, and later on, it went on to build a huge player base. Still, the Rockstar Games co-founder was concerned about one aspect of the game.

Dan Houser Was Anxious About Repetitions in Red Dead Redemption 2

You play as Arthur Morgan, a senior member of the Van der Linde gang, which is led by the “pseudo-messianic” Dutch, a group that was introduced in the first game. This is a Western drama-cum-tragedy. Dutch’s leadership, the Van der Linde outlaws,...

Few companies have managed to carve out a reputation as iconic as Rockstar Games in video game development. The studio is not only renowned for its meticulous attention to detail but also for producing groundbreaking titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, redefining the landscape of interactive storytelling in the gaming industry and setting high standards for character depth and world-building.

Houser explains why they don’t work with name actors occasionally now. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games’ GTA San Andreas

With each new release from the studio, players now expect meticulously crafted narratives that often reflect the true essence of human experience, morality, and society. However, many gamers may not know the reason why Rockstar avoids hiring well-known actors for its characters. In an interview, co-founder Dan Houser shared insights into an incident that ultimately shaped the studio’s approach to casting.

One Incident Changed Rockstar Games’ Casting...

Arguably the most hyped gaming release is now knocking on the door. Fans’ anticipation regarding GTA 6 right now doesn’t know any boundaries. Rockstar Games has confirmed that this highly anticipated open-world title is coming in the fall of 2025. However, no solid release date has been confirmed yet.

GTA 6 doesn’t yet have a solid release date. | Credit: Rockstar Games.

Along with GTA 6, people are concerned over another matter that is actually way more important than the game itself. And that is the United States Presidential Election 2024. This time too, we got to see the former President of the country, Donald Trump, on the election podium. Now, if Trump wins this time, the co-founder of Rockstar Games will not be very happy to release the highly anticipated title.

Dan Houser Didn’t Want to Release GTA 6 at the Time of Donald Trump

Donald Trump might become the US President yet again.

In the video games industry, controversies are fairly common, but very few escalated like the one that Dan Houser’s Rockstar Games found itself in 2005. Now known as the infamous Hot Coffee scandal, this incident transcended the gaming world and stirred political discourse. At the center of all this drama was Dan, co-founder of Rockstar.

The scandal stirred the whole industry as it even brought politics into the mix. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Following the discovery of hidden s*xual content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the studio found itself navigating a storm of political scrutiny, media frenzy, and public outrage. Even political figures like Hillary Clinton stepped into the fray, making the incident a symbol of the broader cultural battles surrounding video game content.

How Rockstar Games’ Dan Houser Handled the Scandal Dan emphasized in the interview how his brother helped him survive during this scandal. | Image Credit:...

The camera finally settles behind Cj’s shoulders. We’re in an alley with a small bike leaning against a brick wall, maybe somewhere between Dre’s Compton and Snoop’s Long Beach. Samuel L. Jackson cackles as his police car drives off, leaving you in a rival hood.

There’s the Los Angeles that movies and television created — Chinatown, 90210, Boyz n the Hood. But not until Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was there the Los Angeles that games created. Released on October 26, 2004, San Andreas still seems as large and...

With the recent resurgence of video game adaptations, players are increasingly curious about one thing. Why don’t Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and the Red Dead Redemption series have adaptations? Both series have redefined the gaming landscape and achieved unprecedented acclaim from both fans and critics alike, solidifying Rockstar’s reputation for creating immersive, narrative-rich experiences.

Fans of the series are curious why Rockstar has not made a movie about its series. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games’ GTA 6

Dan Houser, co-founder, head writer, and VP of creativity at Rockstar Games, has shared insights into this mystery. In a recent interview, he made it clear that the studio has never been interested in pursuing movie adaptations. Historically, adaptations were considered as a risky gamble, often resulting in critical and commercial failures. Houser believed that gambling the integrity of their beloved franchises for a film simply wasn’t worth the risk.

Houser Explains...

Red Dead Redemption 2 is, without a doubt, one of the greatest games ever made, but it is also one of the few video games that could’ve been released in the format of other prestige media, and very few would’ve batted an eye.

Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2 – Image Credit: Rockstar Games.

Now, even if a TV Show based on Rockstar’s IP were to come out today, it’d be just as much of a success as something like HBO’s The Last of Us. But it just wouldn’t be the same either. As for Roger Clark, the voice of Arthur Morgan, a particular tradition might prevent him from ever stepping into his most iconic role in live-action, no matter how perfect he may be for it.

Hollywood’s Misconceptions Will Prevent Roger Clark From Playing His Role in a Red Dead Redemption 2 TV Show Javier...

Although Rockstar Games continues to put most of its attention towards Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption 2 is undoubtedly one of the studio’s biggest successes ever and a masterpiece of a game that ended up defining an entire genre. Seriously, the amount of hidden details and graphical immersion will blow away anyone.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was on the verge of being axed. (Image via Rockstar)

Red Dead Redemption 2 has managed to sell nearly 64 million copies, which makes it the seventh best-selling title in the entire world. However, it may shock you to learn that Dan Houser and his team, while working on the game, almost gave up and axed the entirety of the project!

Red Dead Redemption 2 Was a Massive Project For Rockstar Games

Red Dead Redemption 2 is considered to be one of the best games ever created. Set in a fictional version of the United States in 1899, it...

The gaming industry in the UK has massively flourished over the years, in large part thanks to Rockstar Games’ founders. The Sunday Times has released its first-ever Gaming Rich List for 2024, highlighting the top 30 wealthiest figures in this industry.

From mobile game creators to YouTube personalities, the list reveals the financial success of those who have managed to turn their passion for gaming into substantial fortunes.

Playrix Are the Top Contenders Sean Murray from No Man’s Sky surprisingly made the list. Image via Hello Games

At the very top of the Gaming Rich List are the Russian-born Bukhman brothers, Igor and Dmitry, who co-founded Playrix. Their mobile gaming studio has become a powerhouse in the industry, known for its wildly successful games like Gardenscapes and Township.

These games have mastered the art of blending match-three puzzles with other popular genres, like gardening simulations and city-building, making them addictive to millions of players worldwide,...

Video game movies have been a hit-and-miss in Hollywood cinema, and this is why Rockstar Games boss Dan Houser was wary of making a GTA movie that could have starred the prolific actor Walton Goggins. He was quite a popular casting choice among the fans.

Grand Theft Auto V / Rockstar Games

As the previous head writer and co-founder of Rockstar Games, Houser supervised the project and protected it so much as to reject every possible call from filmmakers who want to make a movie out of the successful game franchise.

Why Is There No GTA Live-Action Adaptation?

In a recent interview with The Ankler, former VP of creativity at Rockstar Games Dan Houser revealed they have received many offers to make a GTA movie, and every single time, he would say no.

After a few awkward dates, we’d ask [the executives], why would we do this? And we’d be like,...

It’s hard not to play the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption games and not wonder what live-action adaptations would be like. Then again, the games are so cinematic to begin with that it all seems so unwarranted. And that’s just the feeling that Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has, saying he has been asked numerous times by studio honchos about bringing GTA and more from Vinewood to Hollywood.

As Houser recalled, he was told by executives that there could be potential in making movies from GTA and other Rockstar Games properties, to which Houser replied, “And we’d be like, no, what you’ve described is you making a movie and us having no control and taking a huge risk that we’re going to end up paying for with something that belongs to us.”

Despite the constant push for Rockstar Games movies, Houser and his...

There was a time when video game movies were something of a joke. Hollywood inevitably tried to adapt popular games for the big screen beginning in the '90s with the disastrous live-action "Super Mario Bros." movie but, for the most part, they were almost always bad. Even the "Resident Evil" franchise, which was commercially successful, never churned out a single critical hit. Things have changed but it's only in recent years that the tide has begun to turn. That's precisely why we never got a "Grand Theft Auto" movie, despite lots of interest from various studios over the years.

Former head writer and VP of creativity at Rockstar Games Dan Houser, who also co-founded the successful gaming company, recently spoke with The Ankler about Hollywood's attempts to turn "Grand Theft Auto" into a movie. Houser explained that, "After a few awkward dates, we'd ask [the executives], why would we do this?...

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a groundbreaking video game series that has not only redefined open-world gaming but also stands as a new way of experiencing interactive entertainment.

With many live-action adaptations recently, the community has been wondering why Rockstar is not trying to create a live-action adaptation with its IPs. This question was answered in an interview with co-founder Dan Houser, where he shared a few problems the studio would have had to face while creating these movies.

Dan Houser Shared Some Insights on GTA’s Cinematic Potential

Houser shared details about why Rockstar stayed away from creating live-action adaptations for its IPs | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

In a rare and candid interview, Dan Houser shed some light on the studio’s ambitious plans. He said that the studio was thinking of expanding the iconic Grand Theft Auto universe into films. However, due to certain reasons, they...

With over a dozen blockbuster films under the same franchise, Sony seems to be finally gearing up for the next Spider-Man live-action project. The studio is also reportedly on the lookout for an actor to play Miles Morales, and Red Dead Redemption 2’s Roger Clark has spoken his mind about it.

Clark is a well-established figure in the gaming industry has spoken his mind when it comes to deciding who should be cast for the said role. He shared his thoughts through his official X/Twitter handle who he thinks would be the perfect fit for the role.

Red Dead Redemption 2’s Actor Has Made Up His Mind for the Next Miles Morales Clark wants Nadji Peter to play Miles Morales.

The character of Miles Morales has always remained an iconic one, often shown to be on a level identical to Peter Parker. This begs the question of who would...

Few developers in the video game industry have courted controversy as consistently as Rockstar Games. The company behind the immensely popular Grand Theft Auto series has never shied away from pushing a few boundaries and ruffling a few feathers.

But in 2004, one particular incident involving their hit game GTA: San Andreas would escalate into a full-blown political firestorm, attracting the ire of lawmakers and forever changing the scene of video game regulation.

The scandal erupted when Dutch modder Patrick Wildenborg uncovered a hidden mini-game buried deep within the code of GTA: San Andreas. This mini-game, which would later become infamous under the name “Hot Coffee,” allowed players to engage in explicit s*xual activities with the protagonist, Carl “Cj” Johnson’s girlfriends. The “Hot Coffee” scene, named after the euphemism used in the game to invite Cj inside their girlfriend’s home, featured fully animated s*xual intercourse, including oral s*x.

There is ultimately a lot of effort invested in making a video game, often including a few sacrifices to maintain a high standard of gameplay for the player to experience. A similar incident was revealed by the writer for Rockstar Game’s Red Dead Redemption 2, who mentioned how he avoided the game’s protagonist’s voice actor in order to preserve his own impression.

Main Cover for Red Dead Redemption 2

Dan Houser, who also happens to be the co-founder of the renowned studio, played a huge role in the success of the title which came out back in 2018. Apart from stating how the game’s final script was over 2,000 pages long, Houser revealed how he avoided Arthur Morgan’s voice actor so he does not end up spoiling his own experience of the game.

How Red Dead Redemption 2’s Writer Was Able To Retain His Initial Impression Of Arthur Morgan...

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and former writer of fan-anticipated titles like GTA 6, announced in 2021 that he had created a new studio, Absurd Ventures. According to job listings, they are now hiring for a new game that resembles Grand Theft Auto in several ways.

It’s worth remembering that when he founded his studio, Dan said he would dedicate his work to creating “weird shit from desperate people,” along with creativity and innovation in the gaming market. So, will this new project from Houser surpass the works that made him famous and well-known in the video game industry, creating a new game franchise?

Absurd Ventures is Expanding Beyond Their GTA 6-Like Project Red Dead Redemption 2 was the last game released that had Houser as a writer.

Despite the Lead Gameplay Designer position listed on the studio’s LinkedIn specifically seeking individuals to work on the creation of an “open-world action-adventure game,...

Even though Rockstar Games had to release the first trailer for GTA 6 earlier than planned due to an incredibly unfortunate leak, it is finally here. With it comes more confirmed details about the upcoming game than we’ve received in the last 10+ years. However, few of those details are more important than the reveal that GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida: the GTA universe stand-in for the state of Florida.

That means that GTA 6 will feature an updated version of Vice City as so many rumors about the game have previously suggested. However, the distinction between Vice City and Leonida is already proving to be significant. Not only will GTA 6‘s in-game world be so much bigger than one city, but the game’s entire spirit and style seem to be derived from the Florida-like nature of Leonida rather than the Miami-like culture of Vice City. Based on what I’ve seen,...

CAA vet Wendy Smith has joined Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures as chief operating officer of the media and entertainment company.

Absurd Ventures was launched in June by Houser, who spent more than 20 years as lead writer and creative director for Rockstar’s games and game series, which sold more than 500 million units, including Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.

Smith will oversee business operations, finance, communications, legal, Hr, external partnerships and philanthropy for the new company, which has a focus on creating characters and worlds that can be expressed in many different forms, including video games, TV, film and a wide range of multiplatform content.

“Introducing new IP into the world is hard — games take a long time to produce and are very expensive,” Smith told Variety. “We mitigate that risk through smaller outputs on projects – whether it’s graphic novels, podcasts or television. Our...

Range Media Partners has signed video game creator Dan Houser and his media company, Absurd Ventures.

Houser was previously the co-founder, creative director and lead writer for Rockstar Games, and while there worked on popular franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption and Bully. The company is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive.

In June 2023, Houser announced the launch of Absurd Ventures, which will create characters, stories and art for live-action and animated TV and film, as well as video games, books, graphic novels, podcasts and more.

Range will represent Absurd Ventures for content financing, licensing, production and sales across all formats, platforms and outlets. The talent representation and management startup was formed in 2020 by former CAA agent and production executive Peter Micelli and agents from CAA, UTA and WME.

“Dan Houser’s cultural impact as a writer, producer and IP creator is incomparable. He has helped build some...

Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar Games and writer behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, launched a new media venture Thursday that will create IP across formats.

Absurd Ventures is based in Santa Monica and will give Houser an opportunity to expand his focus outside of video games to include programming for live-action and animated shows, books and podcasts, the company said Thursday.

“We are building Absurd Ventures to create new universes and to tell great stories, wherever and however we can,” Houser said in a statement.

The gaming executive co-founded Rockstar Games with his brother Sam in 1998 and went on to help create some of the most popular video game franchises, including Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. In 2019, Houser took an “extended break” from the studio, which he served as vp creative, and formally left the company in 2020, according to a February 2020 securities filing from parent company Take-Two Interactive.

Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has launched Absurd Ventures, which aims to produce video games, TV, film and a wide range of multiplatform content.

Absurd Ventures will focus on creating characters and worlds that can be expressed in many different forms. In addition to video games, live-action and animation, Absurd Ventures also has its eye on books, graphic novels and podcasts.

“We are building Absurd Ventures to create new universes and to tell great stories, wherever and however we can,” Houser said.

The company, which has a handful of employees, is based in Santa Monica. Financing and investment partners will be unveiled at a later time, said a spokesman for Houser. Absurd Ventures’ website and social media accounts went live today.

Houser spent years as creative director and head writer for Rockstar Games, which was formed in 1998 and quickly became part of Take-Two Interactive. He left the company in 2020. Houser...

In 2011, the Tribeca Film Festival’s unprecedented decision to include a video game as part of the official selection may have seemed like nothing more than a glorified bit of cross-promotion between a for-profit festival and an elite publisher with a very expensive new blockbuster to sell. A detective mystery in the tradition of classic movies like “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Big Sleep,” Rockstar Games’ “L.A. Noire” certainly seemed like a natural way of bridging the gap between two different mediums that have been on a collision course for a long time — according to Rockstar’s Dan Houser, Tribeca felt that it “was something new and different that would appeal to fans of cinematic storytelling” — but the choice also reflected the patronizing idea that video games should aspire to be interactive films.

In the years that followed, however, it gradually became clear that Tribeca had a more expansive...

According to recent reports, Grand Theft Auto 6 is absolutely in active development, though in what stage remains a topic ripe for debate.

In confirming the project’s existence in a recent Kotaku article, trusted games journalist Jason Schreier noted that Rockstar’s sequel was still in its infancy and was therefore still some time away from being released. Fans hoping for an official reveal sooner rather than later have been left reeling by the news ever since, of course, though others claiming to have inside knowledge of the upcoming title have since called their accuracy into question.

Addressing questions pertaining to both Schreier’s original report and those provided earlier this week, Rockstar Mag’s Liberty93 has reignited hopes of the series’ sixth installment arriving earlier than projected.

New Grand Theft Auto 6 Fan Art Imagines Massive World And Map 1 of 2

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GTA 6 is finally in development at Rockstar Games, which means that fans of the series can look forward to another crime-filled romp across a massive map full of banks to rob and cars to steal. While the game is allegedly in the early stages of production, and likely a few years away from release, there have been several rumors over the past few years that suggest that Rockstar has already laid out a few key things about the highly-anticipated sequel.

There have been several rumors that suggest that Rockstar already knows where the next game is going to take place — some obvious choices, including the franchise’s trifecta of cities, as well as some surprising locations that could take the series in a new direction.

While none of these locations are confirmed as of yet, we’ve compiled a list of what we’ve heard so far:

Liberty City

Liberty City,...

Rockstar has started work on a new Grand Theft Auto game, according to a report from Kotaku on the studio’s improved workplace culture. The outlet reports that the game is in early development. It’s unclear at this time whether the new project is the long-awaited GTA 6 or a spin-off in the spirit of Vice City and San Andreas.

Sources have also told Kotaku that the next GTA game will “start out with a moderately sized release that is then expanded with regular updates over time, which may help mitigate stress and crunch.” This could mean that the next game could embrace more of a “games as a service” approach, with a base experience that is then fleshed out with multiple Dlc and smaller updates.

Besides allowing developers to have a better work-life balance, a GaaS release model for GTA 6 makes sense when you consider the massive success Rockstar has had with GTA Online,...

Rob Leane Feb 5, 2020

In a bit of a surprising move, Dan Houser is leaving Rockstar Games next month

Here's a bit of news that we weren't expecting: Dan Houser, one of the longest-serving members of staff at Rockstar, will be leaving the company next month.

Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, broke the news in an official document with this statement: "After an extended break beginning in the spring of 2019, Dan Houser, Vice President, Creative at Rockstar Games, will be leaving the company. Dan Houser’s last day will be March 11, 2020." It's interesting to hear that Houser has been on a break for quite some time and will not be carrying on with Rockstar.

"We are extremely grateful for his contributions," the statement adds. And, indeed, Houser's contributions to Rockstar Games have been very significant: he was the co-founder of the company, and he served as a writer on such massive...

While actor Gabriel Sloyer has an impressive filmography, with roles in hit Netflix Original Series “Narcos” and “Orange is the New Black,” and more, perhaps his most demanding role to date is that of Javier Escuella of the Van der Linde Gang in the wildly successful “Red Dead Redemption II,” released in October.

With performances in film, TV, musical theatre, and even audiobooks, Sloyer is clearly in-demand. But, as he shared in a recent interview with Variety, he and his girlfriend both take the time to play “Red Dead Redemption II.”

Sloyer joked about the surreal experience of hearing his own agitated voice coming from another room in his home, only to find that his partner was having much more fun pestering Javier then working to complete the in-game objective.

Sloyer talks about that anecdote in good humor, but it relates to another point the actor makes about Rockstar and...

Matthew Byrd Oct 18, 2018

It sounds like most Rockstar employees weren't working 100 hour weeks to finish Red Dead Redemption 2.

Recently, Rockstar's Dan Houser caused quite a bit of controversy when he suggested that members of the Red Dead Redemption 2 development team were working 100 hour weeks to finish the game. While he later stated that he was only talking about certain senior staff members, some doubted that was the case. Now, though, other members of the Rockstar team have taken to social media to "mostly" echo those claims. 

"In over 5 years, never have I been asked or pressured to work anywhere near 100 hours," says Rockstar North engine programmer, Timea Tabori. "I have occasionally worked maybe 50 hours a week at most and nobody demanded or even expected that."

Many of the other quotes from Rockstar employees state something similar. Rockstar San Diego tools programmer, Vivianne Langdon says that she has never worked for...

Matthew Byrd Oct 15, 2018

Fans are concerned over Red Dead Redemption 2's crunch time figures.

In an interview with New York Magazine, Rockstar's Dan Houser stated that he and some members of the team were working some very long weeks in order to finish Red Dead Redemption 2.

“We were working 100-hour weeks," says Houser. He then elaborated on the incredible amount of work that goes into a game like this by stating that they even made "70 versions" the game's trailers and television commercials with the team's editors probably working on "several hundred" versions of those spots.

These comments caused some people to become quite concerned regarding what Rockstar expects of their employees. After all, we've heard quite a few stories in recent years about studios that will force their employees to endure hundreds of hours of crunch time in order to complete a project. More often than not, these hours...