Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex Fridman Podcast #484
Dan Houser is co-founder of Rockstar Games and 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-sb
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
*Transcript:*
https://lexfridman.com/dan-houser-transcript
*CONTACT LEX:*
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*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:*
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*Box:* Intelligent content management platform.
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*OUTLINE:*
0:00 – Episode highlight
1:17 – Introduction
3:03 – Greatest films of all time
15:16 – Making video games
18:07 – GTA 3
21:26 – Open world video games
24:13 – Character creation
27:40 – Superintelligent AI in A Better Paradise
36:52 – Can LLMs write video games?
41:12 – Creating GTA 4 and GTA 5
52:47 – Hard work and Rockstar’s culture of excellence
56:27 – GTA 6
1:13:17 – Red Dead Redemption 2
1:53:10 – DLCs for GTA and Red Dead Redemption
1:59:29 – Leaving Rockstar Games
2:08:53 – Greatest game of all time
2:13:41 – Life lessons from father
2:15:59 – Mortality
2:33:18 – Advice for young people
2:39:20 – Future of video games
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@lexfridman
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep484-sa
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 – Episode highlight
1:17 – Introduction
3:03 – Greatest films of all time
15:16 – Making video games
18:07 – GTA 3
21:26 – Open world video games
24:13 – Character creation
27:40 – Superintelligent AI in A Better Paradise
36:52 – Can LLMs write video games?
41:12 – Creating GTA 4 and GTA 5
52:47 – Hard work and Rockstar's culture of excellence
56:27 – GTA 6
1:13:17 – Red Dead Redemption 2
1:53:10 – DLCs for GTA and Red Dead Redemption
1:59:29 – Leaving Rockstar Games
2:08:53 – Greatest game of all time
2:13:41 – Life lessons from father
2:15:59 – Mortality
2:33:18 – Advice for young people
2:39:20 – Future of video games
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://lexfridman.com/s/box-ep484-sa
UPLIFT Desk: Standing desks and office ergonomics.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep484-sa
CodeRabbit: AI-powered code reviews.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/coderabbit-ep484-sa
Miro: Online collaborative whiteboard platform.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep484-sa
Lindy: No-code AI agent builder.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lindy-ep484-sa
Shopify: Sell stuff online.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep484-sa
LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep484-sa
@kipsta7290
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Dan is a myth, a legend.
@AngryBallSack
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Rdr2 sucks
@SonnyFrisco
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
I honestly feel like There Will Be Blood and Assaination of Jesse James were big influences on Red Dead 2 and was hoping you'd ask.
@D3ADSH0T
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
I like that Dan still chooses Niko as his favorite GTA lead protagonist even after all these years.
@martianmilktvofficial
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
As someone whose trying to get into a career of video game writing, this was such an interesting podcast to listen to!!
@tyevalentinoVQ
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Only an hour & 13 min into this interview but if I don’t hear any mention of The Warriors I’m gonna lose my shit😭
@rafaelbotelho
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
This is like finding a mythical creature in a video game. Awesome
@user-ly9ls4sd2x
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
The best fed interviewer
@akhileshk1584
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
It's like he is the tarantino of games
@weknowcaleb
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
i’m so glad we got a real full fledged interview with dan houser, that ign one was stupid
@joaoppolli
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Um dos melhores Podcasts que já ouvi.
@Pel-kc1bb
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
🇬🇧
@Clockles87
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Been thinking about firing up another play through of RDR2 and this interview just solidified it. Starting another game now!
@bigbellyobie6204
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Would have loved questions about the manhunt series. One of my favorite games.
@Driftwood2652
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
41:15 "Mmm!"
@Esantiago819
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Thank you for another wonderful episode 🔥
@sejd1n39
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
The only sad for me is that he is so much into open world game and with Agent they had chance to go on another path and just try simple lineral story game, with Dan's writting it would be great. Plus I kind of feel like he would have more freedom for his story to be perfect as you don't need to have player go off mission. Never understood why he only does open world games. Maybe I missed something.
@ogshowtime7018
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
What a great interview
@roryking1
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Legend. I remember gta london
@pewpeee
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Yes, keep it single player please
@Ake_UEFN
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
Lucky day to be alive
@nextuplevelup4119
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
RDR2 is the most beautiful game I’ve ever played. It Literally touched my heart
@Sloppysage
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
This is what you call Grade A gta 6 marketing.
@AXIONTV
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
the world need MANHUNT ONLINE
@Cheese-hl5bd
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
RdR2 was not even game of the year…ridiculously. One of best ever…behind Elden Ring though!
@adamavis3545
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
I'm 20 minutes in and I really enjoy this interview
@ciaranmcguckinhasfun4334
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 am
This is very special. Like literally one of the most special interviews in entertainment ❤
Comments are closed.