#484 – Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming

Dan Houser is co-founder of Rockstar Games and is a legendary creative mind behind Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption series of video games.

Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sc

See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.

Transcript:

https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript

CONTACT LEX:

Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey

AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama

Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring

Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact

EPISODE LINKS:

Absurd Adventures: https://absurdventures.com

A Better Paradise: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0FCYSK8VD

American Caper: https://absurdventures.com/americancaper

SPONSORS:

To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:

Box: Intelligent content management platform.

Go to https://box.com/ai

UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics.

Go to https://upliftdesk.com/lex

CodeRabbit: AI-powered code reviews.

Go to https://coderabbit.ai/lex

Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform.

Go to https://miro.com/

Lindy: No-code AI agent builder.

Go to https://go.lindy.ai/lex

Shopify: Sell stuff online.

Go to https://shopify.com/lex

LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.

Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex

OUTLINE:

(00:00) – Introduction

(01:29) – Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections

(11:32) – Greatest films of all time

(23:45) – Making video games

(26:36) – GTA 3

(29:55) – Open world video games

(32:42) – Character creation

(36:09) – Superintelligent AI in A Better Paradise

(45:21) – Can LLMs write video games?

(49:41) – Creating GTA 4 and GTA 5

(1:01:16) – Hard work and Rockstar’s culture of excellence

(1:04:56) – GTA 6

(1:21:46) – Red Dead Redemption 2

(2:01:39) – DLCs for GTA and Red Dead Redemption

(2:07:58) – Leaving Rockstar Games

(2:17:22) – Greatest game of all time

(2:22:10) – Life lessons from father

(2:24:29) – Mortality

(2:41:47) – Advice for young people

(2:47:49) – Future of video games

PODCAST LINKS:

– Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast

– Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr

– Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8

– RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/

– Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4

– Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips