Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and the creative mind behind Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, delivered a refreshingly skeptical take on artificial intelligence in game development during a November 23, 2025 appearance on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. While his new studio Absurd Ventures is experimenting with AI for its upcoming game, Houser candidly stated that the technology is not as useful as some companies would have you believe yet, calling out overblown marketing claims designed to sell AI stock.
What Dan Houser Said About AI
Houser appeared on the British talk show primarily to promote his new novel, A Better Paradise: Volume One – An Aftermath, which explores themes around super-intelligent AI and the gaming industry. When hosts asked whether AI plays a role in his game currently in development, Houser didn’t shy away from the topic but provided a measured, realistic assessment that contrasts sharply with the hype often surrounding the technology.
In the story there are lots of AI characters, and we are dabbling in using AI, Houser confirmed. But the truth is a lot of it’s not as useful as some of the companies would have you believe yet. It’s not going to solve all of the problems. He elaborated that while AI excels at certain tasks, it can’t handle others yet, despite companies claiming it can solve every single problem, which it really can’t.
The Reality Behind AI Marketing
Houser’s most pointed criticism targeted the marketing surrounding AI technology. As far as I understand it, it’s a sort of hold-all term for all future computing, he said with detectable cynicism and sarcasm in his voice. And it’s not really doing a lot of the stuff yet, but if we all give it all of our money, it might do in the future.
He suggested that much of the AI hype is designed to sell AI stock or convince everyone this is transformative, when in reality, computers already perform many of the processes AI companies tout as revolutionary. Some of what AI can currently do is being oversold as groundbreaking when existing technologies achieve similar results. However, Houser did acknowledge that other stuff it does is amazing, showing he’s not entirely dismissive of the technology’s potential.
The 80-20 Problem in Game Development
Houser touched on a fundamental challenge in game development that AI hasn’t solved: the final 20 percent. He explained that the first 80 percent of tasks can often be done quickly and easily, but the final 20 percent to make the perfect simulation of something in the real world is more difficult and time-consuming.
This observation gets at why AI tools often feel impressive initially but fall short when professionals try to use them for finished products. AI can generate decent first drafts, placeholder assets, or rough implementations quickly. But the polish, refinement, and attention to detail that separates good games from great ones still requires human expertise, creativity, and countless hours of iteration.
It’ll be interesting to see, that last bit, how hard it is for AI, which learns in a different way to normal computing development, and how quick that is or isn’t, Houser added. This statement suggests he’s genuinely curious about whether AI’s different learning approach might eventually solve the finishing problem, even if it hasn’t yet.
About Absurd Ventures and the Upcoming Game
After leaving Rockstar Games in 2020 following decades of creating some of gaming’s most influential titles, Houser founded Absurd Ventures, a multimedia entertainment company. The studio is currently developing two open-world action-adventure games, along with podcasts, comics, and novels that share interconnected universes.
The first game is set in the A Better Paradise universe, the same world as Houser’s novel. The story explores what happens when game developers create an AI agent riddled with self-loathing, examining themes around artificial intelligence, digital worlds, and the intersection of reality and simulation. Houser confirmed development started about 18 months ago, meaning work began around May 2024, and the game is still another few years in development.
The second project is set in the Absurdaverse, a more zany, comedy-satire universe revealed earlier in 2025. Specific details about either game remain under wraps, including titles, gameplay mechanics, and release windows beyond the few years away timeframe Houser provided.
| Topic | Dan Houser’s Position |
|---|---|
| AI in Game Stories | Lots of AI characters featured in narrative |
| AI in Development | Dabbling with it but not as useful as marketed |
| AI Marketing Claims | Oversold, designed to sell AI stock |
| Current AI Capabilities | Good at some tasks, can’t do others yet |
| The 80-20 Problem | AI handles first 80% easily, struggles with final 20% |
| Future Potential | Might improve with massive investment |
The Broader Gaming Industry Context
Houser’s comments arrive amid increasing controversy over AI integration in game development. Recent weeks have seen multiple high-profile backlashes against AI usage in gaming. Arc Raiders faced criticism for using AI-generated voicelines, while Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 received pushback for AI-assisted artwork creation. Ubisoft accidentally included an AI-generated image in Anno 117: Pax Romana’s release version, sparking further debate.
On the corporate side, major publishers are betting heavily on AI technology despite mixed reception from players and developers. Krafton, the company behind PUBG, recently announced it was becoming an AI-first company. Electronic Arts entered a partnership with Stability AI to co-develop transformative AI models, tools, and workflows. These moves suggest publishers see AI as crucial to future development pipelines, even as creators like Houser urge caution.
Not all developers share enthusiasm for AI integration. The creators of Dispatch suggested that perhaps AI serves as a creative solution for those lacking creativity. Brendan Greene, creator of PUBG, expressed encouragement at witnessing community pushback against AI initiatives. These voices represent a growing segment of the industry concerned about AI replacing human creativity and craftsmanship.
Houser’s Philosophy on Creative Gaming
Beyond AI specifically, Houser shared his broader perspective on the gaming industry’s direction. Like with all things, gaming can either go somewhere really interesting or somewhere that gets overly focused on making money, he stated. There’s always that danger with any commercial artform that money causes distractions. But I think there’s still a big ceiling creatively to make these kinds of living narrative experiences.
This philosophy reveals Houser’s core belief that narrative-driven, creatively ambitious games still have massive untapped potential. Despite the industry’s increasing focus on live services, microtransactions, and recurring revenue models, Houser sees room for the immersive story experiences that defined his Rockstar career. I think that’s what we were always trying to do, he added, referring to the Grand Theft Auto series.
His stance positions Absurd Ventures as a counterweight to industry trends prioritizing monetization over artistry. By building multimedia universes with interconnected stories across books, podcasts, comics, and games, Houser is betting that audiences still crave thoughtful, narrative-rich experiences even in an era of instant gratification and algorithmic content.
A Better Paradise and Thematic Exploration
Houser’s novel A Better Paradise: Volume One – An Aftermath serves as the foundation for understanding his upcoming game. The story asks, What happens if this AI revolution goes wrong? It features a mix of characters living in the real world and in an artificial digital one, exploring themes around technological advancement, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence gone awry.
The book draws inspiration from the COVID-19 pandemic, video game creation, and the AI revolution currently transforming multiple industries. By examining these intersecting forces through fiction, Houser is processing the same questions many developers and technologists are grappling with in real time. The novel represents the first volume in a planned series, suggesting Houser envisions a sprawling, multi-part narrative.
Interestingly, the game set in the Better Paradise universe will explore the same world but not exactly the same story. This approach allows Houser to examine his themes from multiple angles while giving each medium room to play to its unique strengths. Books can dive deep into internal character perspectives, while games can provide agency and interactivity that passive media can’t match.
FAQs
Who is Dan Houser?
Dan Houser is the co-founder of Rockstar Games and the lead writer behind iconic franchises including Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. He left Rockstar in 2020 after more than two decades and founded Absurd Ventures, a multimedia entertainment company currently developing two video games alongside novels, podcasts, and comics.
When will Dan Houser’s new game release?
Houser stated development began approximately 18 months ago around May 2024 and the game is still another few years in development. This suggests a realistic release window of 2027 or 2028 at the earliest, though no official date has been announced.
Is Dan Houser using AI to make his game?
Yes, Absurd Ventures is dabbling with AI in development, but Houser emphasized it’s not as useful as companies claim. The game’s story features lots of AI characters as narrative elements, and the team is experimenting with AI tools during development, though Houser remains skeptical about the technology’s current limitations.
What is A Better Paradise about?
A Better Paradise: Volume One – An Aftermath is Houser’s novel exploring themes around super-intelligent AI, game development, and what happens when the AI revolution goes wrong. It features characters living in both the real world and an artificial digital one, examining technological advancement and its potential consequences.
What games is Absurd Ventures making?
Absurd Ventures is developing two open-world action-adventure games. The first is set in the A Better Paradise universe from Houser’s novel. The second is set in the Absurdaverse, a comedy-satire universe. Specific titles, gameplay details, and release dates haven’t been announced yet.
Why did Dan Houser leave Rockstar Games?
Houser left Rockstar in 2020 after co-founding the studio and serving as its creative lead for over 20 years. He hasn’t publicly detailed specific reasons for his departure, but founded Absurd Ventures shortly after to pursue multimedia storytelling across games, books, podcasts, and other media with more creative independence.
Does Dan Houser think AI is bad for gaming?
Houser doesn’t appear completely opposed to AI but is skeptical about overblown marketing claims. He believes AI is good at some tasks but can’t solve all problems yet, despite what companies claim. He’s concerned about AI hype designed to sell stock rather than accurately represent current capabilities.
Will Absurd Ventures games be like GTA or Red Dead?
While both projects are described as open-world action-adventure games similar in genre to Houser’s Rockstar work, specific gameplay details haven’t been revealed. Based on his comments about narrative experiences and the thematic depth of A Better Paradise, expect story-driven games with philosophical undertones beyond pure action.
What This Means for Gaming’s AI Future
Dan Houser’s measured skepticism about AI carries weight given his legendary status in game development. He’s not a reactionary opposing all technological progress, nor is he a starry-eyed evangelist promising AI will revolutionize everything. Instead, he’s a veteran creator with decades of experience recognizing that the final 20 percent of game development, the craft and polish that elevates good to great, still requires human expertise.
His willingness to experiment with AI while publicly calling out overblown marketing claims models a sensible approach for the industry. Use the tools where they genuinely help, remain skeptical of miracle cure promises, and never forget that compelling games ultimately come from human creativity, not algorithmic generation. As gaming navigates this AI transition, voices like Houser’s offering realistic assessments rather than hype or panic will prove increasingly valuable. The technology might improve with massive investment, as he suggests, but for now, it’s just one tool among many, not the revolution companies want you to believe you’re witnessing.