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

About this episode

<p>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.<br /> Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sc">https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sc</a><br /> See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.</p> <p><b>Transcript:</b><br /> <a href="https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript">https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript</a></p> <p><b>CONTACT LEX:</b><br /> <b>Feedback</b> &#8211; give feedback to Lex: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/survey">https://lexfridman.com/survey</a><br /> <b>AMA</b> &#8211; submit questions, videos or call-in: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/ama">https://lexfridman.com/ama</a><br /> <b>Hiring</b> &#8211; join our team: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/hiring">https://lexfridman.com/hiring</a><br /> <b>Other</b> &#8211; other ways to get in touch: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/contact">https://lexfridman.com/contact</a></p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Absurd Adventures: <a href="https://absurdventures.com">https://absurdventures.com</a><br /> A Better Paradise: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0FCYSK8VD">https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0FCYSK8VD</a><br /> American Caper: <a href="https://absurdventures.com/americancaper">https://absurdventures.com/americancaper</a></p> <p><b>SPONSORS:</b><br /> To support this podcast, check out our sponsors &#38; get discounts:<br /> <b>Box:</b> Intelligent content management platform.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/box-ep484-sc">https://box.com/ai</a><br /> <b>UPLIFT Desk:</b> Standing desks and office ergonomics.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep484-sc">https://upliftdesk.com/lex</a><br /> <b>CodeRabbit:</b> AI-powered code reviews.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/coderabbit-ep484-sc">https://coderabbit.ai/lex</a><br /> <b>Miro:</b> Online collaborative whiteboard platform.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep484-sc">https://miro.com/</a><br /> <b>Lindy:</b> No-code AI agent builder.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/lindy-ep484-sc">https://go.lindy.ai/lex</a><br /> <b>Shopify:</b> Sell stuff online.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep484-sc">https://shopify.com/lex</a><br /> <b>LMNT:</b> Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.<br /> Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep484-sc">https://drinkLMNT.com/lex</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (01:29) &#8211; Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections<br /> (11:32) &#8211; Greatest films of all time<br /> (23:45) &#8211; Making video games<br /> (26:36) &#8211; GTA 3<br /> (29:55) &#8211; Open world video games<br /> (32:42) &#8211; Character creation<br /> (36:09) &#8211; Superintelligent AI in A Better Paradise<br /> (45:21) &#8211; Can LLMs write video games?<br /> (49:41) &#8211; Creating GTA 4 and GTA 5<br /> (1:01:16) &#8211; Hard work and Rockstar&#8217;s culture of excellence<br /> (1:04:56) &#8211; GTA 6<br /> (1:21:46) &#8211; Red Dead Redemption 2<br /> (2:01:39) &#8211; DLCs for GTA and Red Dead Redemption<br /> (2:07:58) &#8211; Leaving Rockstar Games<br /> (2:17:22) &#8211; Greatest game of all time<br /> (2:22:10) &#8211; Life lessons from father<br /> (2:24:29) &#8211; Mortality<br /> (2:41:47) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (2:47:49) &#8211; Future of video games</p> <p><b>PODCAST LINKS:</b><br /> &#8211; Podcast Website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> &#8211; Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> &#8211; Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> &#8211; RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> &#8211; Podcast Playlist: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4</a><br /> &#8211; Clips Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/lexclips">https://www.youtube.com/lexclips</a></p>