How did Victorian novels influence Dan Houser's game design?

Houser found parallels in the detailed world-building and societal commentary of Victorian authors, applying these principles to create immersive open-world games.

Which specific Victorian works inspired Red Dead Redemption 2?

Houser was influenced by George Eliot's Middlemarch and the detective stories of Sherlock Holmes for Red Dead Redemption 2.

Are open-world games like Victorian literature?

Both offer a sense of complete immersion and a vast, detailed world that allows players or readers to explore intricate narratives and societies.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Victorian Novels Inspire Grand Theft Auto's Creator

Victorian Novels Inspire Grand Theft Auto's Creator

3 Dec

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Summary

Dan Houser sees parallels between Victorian authors and open-world game design.
He drew inspiration from Middlemarch and Sherlock Holmes for Red Dead Redemption 2.
Games offer immersive worlds, much like descriptive 19th-century literature.

Victorian Novels Inspire Grand Theft Auto's Creator

The sprawling narrative structures and immersive worlds of modern open-world video games share striking similarities with 19th-century literary giants. Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar and lead writer for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, shared how authors like Charles Dickens and George Eliot inspired his design philosophy.

Houser discovered that the detailed world-building and societal observations found in Victorian novels mirror the ambitious scope of games like Grand Theft Auto. He specifically cited George Eliot's Middlemarch and elements of Sherlock Holmes as crucial influences in shaping the narrative tone and character depth of Red Dead Redemption 2.

This blend of historical literary techniques with cutting-edge game development aims to offer players a uniquely rich and physically grounded interactive experience. Houser's new company, Absurd Ventures, continues to explore innovative storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what open-world entertainment can achieve.

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