Dan Houser Unveils the Secrets Behind GTA, Red Dead Redemption & the 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:*
*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-sb
*UPLIFT Desk:* Standing desks and office ergonomics.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/uplift_desk-ep484-sb
*CodeRabbit:* AI-powered code reviews.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/coderabbit-ep484-sb
*Miro:* Online collaborative whiteboard platform.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/miro-ep484-sb
*Lindy:* No-code AI agent builder.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lindy-ep484-sb
*Shopify:* Sell stuff online.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep484-sb
*LMNT:* Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep484-sb

*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

*PODCAST LINKS:*
- Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
- Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
- RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
- Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
- Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips

*SOCIAL LINKS:*
- X: https://x.com/lexfridman
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lexfridman
- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lexfridman
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lexfridman
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/lexfridman
- Telegram: https://t.me/lexfridman
- Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/lexfridman