Grand Theft Auto is synonymous with sprawling, immersive crime dramas set entirely in America an identity that Rockstar Games has embraced since the franchise’s inception. But why hasn’t the series ventured beyond US soil for a new setting? Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar and creative force behind the GTA series, sheds light on this decision in a recent in-depth interview.
Houser explains that the GTA franchise is steeped in a particular brand of “so much Americana,” from guns and larger-than-life characters to cultural references that are integral to the games’ tone and storytelling. The series taps into a US outsider’s perspective, satirizing American life with a blend of humor, cynicism, and affectionate critique that would be difficult to replicate authentically elsewhere.
While the idea of GTA London once crossed minds, Houser says the game would have felt like a “pretty cute and fun” spin-off rather than a true mainline GTA experience. The core of GTA revolves around aspects deeply tied to American culture, making it hard to capture the same intensity and resonance in other countries.
Houser also notes the challenges of modern game development with fast-moving cultural shifts, making it difficult to craft sharp, satirical narratives that feel current by release time. This focus on rich, distinctly American storytelling is part of why the franchise remains one of the most beloved and iconic open-world experiences in gaming.
GTA’s US setting is no accident ... it is the beating heart of a game series that mirrors the cultural absurdities and larger-than-life drama of America itself. Houser’s insights affirm that for GTA, the road outside the US might just be the one less traveled, at least for now.
