When Dan Houser walked away from Rockstar Games in 2020, the gaming world collectively gasped. Here was the creative mastermind behind Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, leaving the empire he built. At the time, the departure seemed mysterious but cordial. Now, insider sources are painting a very different picture.
According to GTA 6 insider Tez2, who’s known for accurate leaks, Dan’s exit wasn’t about burnout or creative fulfillment. Two former Rockstar developers revealed that Dan left because of fundamental disagreements with his brother Sam Houser about where the company should head next. This wasn’t a minor creative spat. This was a rift big enough to make Dan abandon the studio he co-founded.
Brothers at Odds
The Houser brothers built Rockstar Games from the ground up. Sam and Dan transformed a racing game called Race’n’Chase into what we know as Grand Theft Auto. They moved from London to New York, turned Take-Two’s acquisition into an opportunity, and created some of the most successful video games in history.
But success doesn’t guarantee harmony. The insider claims suggest that somewhere along the way, Sam and Dan developed conflicting visions for Rockstar’s future. Dan served as Vice President of Creativity and lead writer for nearly every major Rockstar title since GTA London 1969. His fingerprints are all over GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA V, both Red Dead Redemption games, Bully, and Max Payne 3.
When someone with that level of creative control leaves, it tells you something significant happened behind closed doors.
What Dan Isn’t Saying
In a recent interview with Lex Friedman, Dan discussed his departure but conveniently left out any mention of conflict with Sam. He talked about the industry, creativity, and his new venture Absurd Ventures, but the family drama stayed off the record. Neither brother has publicly acknowledged any disagreement, and they probably never will.
Tez2 makes it clear that Dan’s departure had nothing to do with union-busting allegations or working conditions at Rockstar. If those were his concerns, he would have left back in 2018 when he made controversial comments about overworking staff during Red Dead Redemption 2’s development. This was purely about creative direction.
The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
Dan left before GTA 6 was even officially announced. The game that fans have been waiting over a decade for won’t have its original creative architect. That’s a huge deal. Some fans worry the story won’t hit the same heights without Dan’s writing, though he’s publicly said he thinks GTA 6 will be great.
The timing also raises questions about what’s happening at Rockstar now. The studio recently faced a second delay for GTA 6 and accusations of laying off dozens of employees for alleged gross misconduct, with union-busting claims swirling around those decisions. If the brothers were already divided years ago, what does that mean for the company culture today?
Starting Fresh with Absurd Ventures
Dan didn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself. In February 2021, he registered Absurd Ventures LLC, a multimedia entertainment company creating content across video games, podcasts, comics, novels, and live-action productions. He’s building new universes from scratch, including something called the Absurdaverse that features animation and a story-driven action-comedy adventure game.
His first novel, A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, is being distributed by Simon & Schuster. The game set in that universe is still a few years away from release, but Dan’s clearly not slowing down. He’s even dabbling in AI technology for game development, though he’s realistic about its limitations.
Interestingly, many notable former Rockstar employees have joined Dan at Absurd Ventures. When talented people follow a leader out the door, it says something about loyalty and vision.
What This Means for Gaming
The split between Dan and Sam Houser represents more than family drama. It’s a fundamental question about what Rockstar Games should be. Should it focus exclusively on milking GTA and Red Dead franchises with online content updates, or should it take creative risks on new IP? Should it prioritize profits or artistry?
Dan seems to have chosen the latter path with Absurd Ventures. Sam, still running Rockstar, is steering the ship in whatever direction caused the rift. Only time will tell which brother’s vision proves more successful, but the gaming world is watching closely.
FAQs
Why did Dan Houser really leave Rockstar Games?
According to insider sources, Dan Houser left Rockstar in 2020 due to disagreements with his brother Sam about the company’s future direction. This contradicts the more amicable narrative presented publicly.
Is Dan Houser working on GTA 6?
No, Dan Houser is not involved in GTA 6’s development. He left Rockstar before the game was officially announced, meaning this will be the first mainline GTA without his creative input since GTA London 1969.
What is Dan Houser doing now?
Dan Houser founded Absurd Ventures in 2021, a multimedia company creating content across games, books, comics, podcasts, and film. He’s currently developing games set in new universes, with releases expected in a few years.
Did Dan Houser leave because of crunch culture at Rockstar?
No, insider sources specifically state that Dan’s departure was unrelated to working conditions or union-busting concerns. The split was purely about creative disagreements with his brother Sam over company direction.
Who wrote the story for GTA games?
Dan Houser was the lead writer for most GTA games from GTA London 1969 through GTA V, as well as both Red Dead Redemption titles, Bully, and other Rockstar games. GTA 6 will have different writers.
Are Sam and Dan Houser still on good terms?
Neither brother has publicly discussed any disagreement, and both have remained professional in their statements. However, insider sources suggest their split was significant enough to cause Dan’s departure from the company they co-founded.
Will Dan Houser make games similar to GTA?
Absurd Ventures is developing story-driven games, including an action-comedy adventure game. While likely different from GTA, Dan’s signature storytelling and world-building approach will probably be evident in his new projects.
Conclusion
The revelation that Dan Houser left Rockstar over creative differences with Sam adds a new layer to gaming history. Two brothers who revolutionized open-world gaming couldn’t agree on where to take their creation next. Dan chose to start fresh rather than compromise his vision, while Sam continues leading Rockstar through its most profitable but controversial period. Whether this split ultimately benefits gamers with more creative diversity or signals deeper problems at Rockstar remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the golden era of the Houser brothers working together has ended, and both the gaming industry and players will feel the impact for years to come.