Key Takeaways
- Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser says Grand Theft Auto’s tone and themes are deeply rooted in American culture.
- The series’ “Americana” focus makes it difficult to adapt convincingly to international settings.
- Rockstar Games faces ongoing union-busting allegations amid development of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Grand Theft Auto’s Heart Belongs to America
In a recent appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser revealed that the Grand Theft Auto franchise will always stay tied to its American roots. Houser explained that the series’ defining traits—guns, crime, satire, and excess—are all reflections of the United States and its unique cultural landscape.Top Blockchain-Based Games Worth Playing in July 2025
“You know, you needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters,” Houser said. “It just felt like the game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider’s perspective. That was so much about what the thing was that it wouldn’t really have worked in the same way elsewhere.”
The comment sheds light on why Grand Theft Auto has consistently returned to fictional U.S. cities inspired by real ones—from Liberty City’s gritty New York energy to the neon chaos of Vice City and the sprawling satire of Los Santos.
Why GTA Outside the U.S. Doesn’t Work
Houser acknowledged that early in the franchise’s history, Rockstar experimented with international settings. The 1999 expansion Grand Theft Auto: London offered a British take on the formula—but according to Houser, it didn’t capture the essence that made GTA what it is today.
“It was cute and fun,” he said, reflecting on the top-down PlayStation 1 title, “but a full GTA game just wouldn’t be able to have that setting.”
For Houser, Grand Theft Auto’s success comes from its satirical lens on American life—its absurdities, contradictions, and extremes. The franchise isn’t just about open-world crime; it’s about holding a mirror to the culture that birthed it. The guns, celebrity obsession, and capitalism that fuel its worlds are distinctly American.
Grand Theft Auto VI Returns to Familiar Territory
The next installment, Grand Theft Auto VI, will continue this tradition. Set in the fictional U.S. state of Leonida—a reimagined version of Florida—the game revisits Vice City’s Miami-inspired setting while expanding into a larger, modern world.
Rockstar’s choice of location reinforces the idea that America’s diversity and contradictions remain the perfect playground for the series’ storytelling. Players can expect a mix of satire, drama, and chaos, all wrapped in the uniquely American backdrop that Houser insists defines the franchise.
Behind the Scenes: Rockstar Faces Allegations
While fans await the next GTA, Rockstar Games is facing its own internal controversies. The studio was recently accused of union-busting after allegedly firing 30–40 employees across its U.K. and Canadian offices who were involved in a private trade union chat group on Discord.
The allegations, reported by Bloomberg, have sparked discussions about workplace culture and employee rights within one of gaming’s most influential studios.
Despite the controversy, Rockstar continues development on Grand Theft Auto VI, expected to be one of the most significant game launches of the decade.
Conclusion: An American Story at Its Core
Dan Houser’s comments reaffirm what many fans already know—Grand Theft Auto isn’t just set in America; it is America, in all its flawed, fascinating glory. From the corruption of Liberty City to the sunshine-fueled decadence of Vice City, the series thrives on satirizing the American dream and its discontents.
And as GTA VI nears release, one thing is clear: no matter how far Rockstar pushes the boundaries of technology and storytelling, the soul of Grand Theft Auto will remain unmistakably American.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
