Rockstar Games Founder QUITS
Is GTA 6 in trouble?
Co-founder of Rockstar Games, Dan Houser, is leaving the company after more than 20 years. Houser served as vice-president (his brother Sam, another co-founder, is remaining as president), and was the lead writer and executive producer on most modern Rockstar titles, including Grand Theft Auto 3 through 5, Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2, and Bully.
The news comes as something of a surprise, especially because no official reason for the departure has been given. In response, Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive released this statement:
“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.”
Following the news, Take-Two's stock dipped 5%.
Houser had been on an extended break from the company since Spring 2019, following the release of Red Dead Redemption 2. His departure raises questions about the direction of the next GTA instalment, a project which has been rumoured for years now. Houser wasn't the only writer on that franchise, but was undeniably a huge part of the creative process, and will leave a major gap in his wake.
What this means for the future of Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto remains to be seen, but expect to hear more from Take-Two in the coming weeks, especially as it gears up for its Q3 financial report with investors.