GTA’s identity is ‘inherently American’, says Rockstar co-founder

GTA VI launch

Since its debut in 1997, Grand Theft Auto has become a defining force in gaming and popular culture, known for its open-world chaos and biting social satire. Yet despite its global fanbase, every major GTA instalment has been rooted in fictionalised versions of American cities — Liberty City (New York), Vice City (Miami), and Los Santos (Los Angeles). The only exception came in 1999 with GTA: London, a top-down spin-off for the PlayStation 1.

In a recent conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser explained why the franchise never revisited that experiment — and why it likely never will.

“We made a little thing in London 26 years ago, GTA London, for the top-down PS1. That was pretty cute and fun, as the first mission pack ever for PlayStation 1,” Houser recalled. “But for a full GTA game, we always decided there was so much Americana inherent in the IP, it would be really hard to make it work in London or anywhere else.”

Houser, who left Rockstar Games in 2020, now heads a new creative studio called Absurd Ventures. His comments reaffirm what long-time fans have observed — GTA’s satire, tone, and humour are deeply tied to American culture, politics, and excess.

What to expect from GTA 6

Rockstar Games is currently developing Grand Theft Auto 6, which returns to Vice City, the series’ fictional take on Miami. The game is expected to feature two main characters — Lucia and Jason, whose story reportedly draws inspiration from the real-life criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde.

After years of anticipation and multiple delays, GTA 6 is set to release on May 26, 2026. Players will be able to switch between Lucia and Jason during missions and open-world exploration.

According to leaks, the game could be the longest entry in the series yet, potentially taking up to 75 hours to complete. It’s also said to parody modern-day America, poking fun at 2020s culture, including social media obsession and influencer lifestyles.

The game will launch first on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, PS5 Slim, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, with a PC version expected later.