22 years after creating what is one of the best-known video game companies in the world with his brother, Dan Houser will be leaving Rockstar Games later this year.
The VP of the developer of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, amongst many others, will be moving on in March. There is no news regarding his replacement yet.
Dan and Sam Houser founded Rockstar Games together with Jamie King and Terry Donovan in 1998, when Take-Two Interactive acquired the assets of the defunct BMG Entertainment. All four founders were former BMG executives and created the new label as a Take-Two subsidiary to make use of former BMG IP.
That IP included DMA Design's Grand Theft Auto franchise. The first game was released to critical acclaim, but didn't make too big of a splash financially — it did draw some controversy for its violent themes, however. This would later become an iconic staple of the GTA IP.
An announcement regarding Dan's departure was released by Take-Two Interactive:
After an extended break beginning in the spring of 2019, Dan Houser, Vice President, Creative at Rockstar Games, will be leaving the company. Dan Houser’s last day will be March 11, 2020. We are extremely grateful for his contributions. Rockstar Games has built some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful game worlds, a global community of passionate fans and an incredibly talented team, which remains focused on current and future projects.
Dan was involved with the GTA and Red Dead franchises in key roles and served as the lead writer on GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. He also produced Bully and Max Payne 3. His brother, Sam House, who is currently the President of Rockstar Games, will remain in his position.
Houser's influence over some of the biggest games of the past generations cannot be understated and his absence will definitely be noticeable on future Rockstar titles. We are particularly curious what sort of effect his departure will have on future installments of the GTA franchise!
