The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6 Money) has reached a fever pitch among gamers worldwide. After years of speculation, rumors, and leaks, Rockstar Games’ next installment promises to be a monumental addition to one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. In a rare and candid interview at LA Comic-Con, former Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser shed light on his thoughts about the upcoming release, offering fans a rare glimpse into the development, storytelling, and legacy of the series.

This interview is particularly noteworthy because Dan Howser, a central figure behind some of Rockstar’s most celebrated titles, has been notoriously private about his work. Over the years, Howser’s appearances in interviews have been scarce, usually limited to official announcements or quotes tied to the launch of a new game. However, during this exclusive conversation with IGN senior executive editor Ryan McAffrey, Howser shared insights that go far beyond the usual promotional content, touching on GTA 6, his career at Rockstar, and the broader creative process behind Rockstar’s games.

Dan Howser’s Departure and Rare Public Commentary

Dan Howser left Rockstar Games a few years ago under circumstances that surprised many both inside the company and in the gaming community. His departure was controversial, stirring debates about the future direction of Rockstar Games and the potential impact on upcoming projects. Since leaving, Howser has focused on his new venture, Absurd Ventures, yet he agreed to this rare on-camera interview at LA Comic-Con, marking one of the few times fans have been able to hear him speak candidly about his time at Rockstar.

During the 20-minute interview with IGN, McAffrey asked pointed questions about GTA 6, even though Howser had not been directly involved in its development. The conversation offered an intriguing mix of nostalgia, insight into Rockstar’s creative processes, and thoughtful reflections on what makes the franchise so enduring.

Howser’s Perspective on GTA 6

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing moment of the interview came when McAffrey asked Howser about his feelings toward GTA 6, set to release on May 26, 2026. Howser candidly admitted that he had no involvement in the story or character development for the upcoming title, saying:

“I think the world's probably had enough GTA from me. It’s going to be exciting. The game will be great, I’m sure.”

This statement is striking because it represents a rare acknowledgment from a former Rockstar co-founder that he will have no direct influence on the next installment of the franchise he helped shape. Howser, who wrote the last ten or eleven GTA titles, including GTA 5 and GTA 4, has been instrumental in defining the narrative, humor, and tone of the series. His remark underscores both his humility and confidence in Rockstar’s ongoing creative teams.

However, it is important to note that while Howser claims no direct involvement, the influence of his previous work on GTA 6 is likely unavoidable. Rockstar Games has spent years developing the title, and brainstorming processes, story frameworks, and world-building techniques often carry over from previous projects. Although GTA 6 will feature new characters, plots, and locations, traces of Howser’s design philosophy and storytelling sensibilities are almost certainly embedded within the game.

Favorite Projects and Storytelling Achievements

During the interview, Howser was also asked about his favorite Rockstar Games projects and the titles he felt most proud of in terms of storytelling. He cited Red Dead Redemption 2 as a pinnacle achievement, highlighting its open-world storytelling, thematic consistency, and emotionally resonant design. Howser described the experience as:

“The best single realization of open-world storytelling, thematic consistency, and understanding how games are assembled to take you on an emotional journey.”

He also reflected on GTA 4 and the middle section of GTA 5, praising the smooth integration of multiple protagonists and the depth of character interactions. Interestingly, he mentioned Bully and GTA 3 as personal highlights, not necessarily because they were perfect, but because they represented entirely new or nearly new intellectual properties. Creating something strong and memorable from the ground up provided a unique sense of gratification, a sentiment he is attempting to carry into his current projects at Absurd Ventures.

For fans of GTA and Rockstar’s other franchises, these insights provide a fascinating window into the creative mindset that has driven the studio’s most beloved titles. They also reinforce Howser’s role in shaping the emotional and narrative core of Rockstar’s open-world games—a legacy that continues to influence the industry even as he steps back from day-to-day development.

The Creative Process at Rockstar

One of the most enlightening parts of the interview concerned Rockstar’s creative process, particularly how the studio approaches storytelling in its open-world games. McAffrey asked Howser whether the team starts with locations or characters when developing a GTA title. Howser explained that the process has evolved over time.

For earlier titles like GTA 3, the team would often begin with a location and then build the characters and story around it. Howser described the early days as resource-constrained, improvisational, and experimental. Motion capture technology was in its infancy, budgets were limited, and the team had to be innovative in how they created dialogue, animated characters, and structured cutscenes. Despite these limitations, Howser emphasized that the team’s dedication and creativity enabled them to assemble coherent, engaging worlds from relatively modest resources.

By the time Rockstar was working on GTA 4 and later titles, the approach had shifted. Howser described the development of these games as a careful balance between the “tone of the world” and the “personality of the lead character.” This equation-like approach ensured that the setting, narrative, and characters complemented each other seamlessly, creating immersive experiences that felt both expansive and emotionally engaging.

For GTA 6, it is believed that Rockstar may have reversed the earlier process—focusing on character creation first and then fitting them into a suitable world and location. Rumored protagonists such as Jason and Lucia could have been central to shaping the game’s story, with the environment designed to amplify their personalities, motivations, and challenges. This iterative, character-driven approach represents Rockstar’s continued evolution as a studio that prioritizes narrative cohesion alongside technical innovation.

The Mystery of Bully 2

A topic that has long intrigued Rockstar fans is why the cult-classic title Bully never received a sequel. Howser addressed this question directly, citing bandwidth issues and limited resources as the primary reasons:

“If you’ve got a small lead creative team and a small senior leadership crew, you just can’t do all the projects you want.”

In other words, the absence of Bully 2 was not due to lack of interest or creative vision, but rather the practical constraints of managing multiple large-scale projects. Rockstar has always juggled numerous high-profile titles simultaneously, and the team must prioritize resources to ensure the quality and completion of each project. While disappointing to fans, Howser’s explanation offers a pragmatic insight into the challenges of game development at a major studio.

Reflections on Rockstar’s Legacy

Throughout the interview, Howser conveyed a deep respect for Rockstar’s legacy and its impact on gaming. His commentary underscores the delicate balance between innovation and tradition that defines Rockstar’s approach: crafting compelling narratives, memorable characters, and immersive worlds while continuously pushing the boundaries of open-world design.

Even though he will not be directly involved in GTA 6, Howser expressed confidence in the studio’s ability to deliver a game that meets fan expectations. His reflections also highlight the cumulative nature of creative work at Rockstar: each title builds upon the lessons and innovations of its predecessors, creating a continuity of quality, cheap GTA 6 Money, and engagement.

Looking Ahead to GTA 6

For players eagerly awaiting GTA 6, Howser’s insights provide both reassurance and context. The game will not be a continuation of his personal creative vision, but it will undoubtedly benefit from the foundation laid by his earlier work. Fans can expect a story-driven, character-rich experience, set in a meticulously crafted open world that leverages Rockstar’s decades of expertise.

Moreover, Howser’s candidness in the interview reinforces a broader understanding of the game industry: that even the most iconic franchises are the result of collaboration, iteration, and resource management. While individual talent is crucial, the success of games like GTA 6 is ultimately the product of entire teams working in concert to create something extraordinary.