Former GTA Co-Writer Dan Houser Explains Why the Series Is Almost Always Based in the USA
Dan Houser, the former co-writer of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, recently shared insights into why the franchise has predominantly been set in American cities. Since the release of the first GTA title, the games have largely centered around fictionalized versions of popular U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. These iconic locations are reimagined with unique map designs and fictional names, becoming a hallmark of the series.
### Why GTA Is Rooted in American Culture
Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, Houser was asked whether a GTA game could be set in a city outside the United States. In response, he explained that the series has always revolved around American culture and lifestyle, which poses challenges in translating it to other locations.
“From the very beginning, Rockstar Games showcased parody versions of New York (Liberty City) and the San Andreas area,” Houser said. “I think for a full GTA game, we always decided there was so much Americana inherent in the IP, it would be really hard to make it work in London or anywhere else.” [Timestamp: 1:02:24]
Houser further elaborated on the unique elements that define GTA’s storytelling: the gun culture, the larger-than-life characters, and the narrative styles. These aspects are deeply rooted in an American, or even an outsider’s perspective of America, which the game’s identity heavily leans on.
“You needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters. 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 the same way elsewhere,” he added.
### GTA London: The Only Non-U.S. Setting
When Lex Fridman inquired specifically if a GTA game could work in London, Houser mentioned that Rockstar actually developed a GTA London game back in 1999, for the PlayStation 1. This was a mission pack for the original GTA and remains the only title not based in the United States.
“We made a little thing in London 26 years ago, GTA London, for the top-down for the PS1. That was pretty cute and fun. As the first mission pack ever for PlayStation 1,” Houser recalled. [Timestamp: 1:02:11]
### Returning to Vice City for GTA 6
Looking ahead, Rockstar Games will be returning to Vice City, a fictional version of Miami, for GTA 6. Vice City was first introduced as a setting in an earlier game, serving as a parody of Florida’s famous city.
### Dan Houser on Leaving Rockstar Games and GTA 6
In the same podcast episode, Dan Houser opened up about his feelings regarding his departure from Rockstar Games and the fact that he is not involved in GTA 6, the first mainline game developed without his participation.
Houser described his emotions as bittersweet. “It’s all of the above [bittersweet but exciting], you know. [I’m] pleased to be doing other stuff, excited for what we’re working on now, super excited,” he said. [Timestamp: 1:03:12]
While he looks forward to his future projects with his company Absurd Ventures, Houser admits that leaving the GTA series, which has been a huge part of his life for over two decades, is a significant change.
“Of course, letting go of something I worked on in one way or another for like 20 odd years, and wrote on the last 10 or 11 that came out. So of course, letting go of that is a big change, and sad in a way, because each of the games was a kind of standalone story,” he added.
### Background: Dan Houser’s Departure from Rockstar
Dan Houser left Rockstar Games in 2021 after completing work on Red Dead Redemption 2. During a September 2025 interview with IGN, he indirectly confirmed that he had no involvement in the development of GTA 6. Over his career, Houser contributed to writing 12 GTA titles, an impressive feat that underscores his central role in the franchise’s success.
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*Edited by Akshat Kabra*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/gta/news-there-much-americana-rockstar-co-founder-dan-houser-gta-always-based-u-s-a
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