14 November 2025

As Much As I Want Red Dead Redemption 3 to Happen, GTA 6 Could Change My Mind

By newsgame

The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 continues to reach new heights, and like many other gamers, I’ve been waiting for this title for what feels like forever. Grand Theft Auto 6 is already expected to be a turning point for the industry, with its launch on target to be historic. I’ve been a passionate video game lover for over 20 years at this point, and as someone who has seen the industry evolve in many major ways, GTA 6 is set to be a showcase of what a juggernaut the gaming world has become.

To say I’m excited is an understatement. I’ll never forget the first time I played a GTA title. It was GTA: Vice City, and with GTA 6 bringing the location back into the spotlight, I can only imagine the wave of nostalgia that’s going to wash over me. After GTA: Vice City, I quickly became a diehard Rockstar fan, and one of my favorite games from the developer is Red Dead Redemption 2. While a potential third Red Dead Redemption chapter is years away, GTA 6 gives me hope that a new chapter of the western will be Rockstar’s next project. However, there is one key detail that makes me worried, and it isn’t the fact that GTA 6 was delayed again. My caution comes from the fact that GTA 6 will be missing a major piece of the Rockstar ecosystem: Dan Houser.

GTA 6 is Rockstar’s First Project Without Dan Houser Attached

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Brothers Dan and Sam Houser signed developer DMA Design to publisher BMG Interactive in the late 90s.
DMA Design was working on what would become the first Grand Theft Auto game.
After BMG Interactive was bought by Take-Two in 1998, the Housers followed the company to New York.
This move would inspire Dan and Sam to co-found Rockstar Games.

While Dan and Sam may not have created the very first GTA game, after signing DMA Design, the once-titled Race’n’Chase became Grand Theft Auto, which would spring to life one of gaming’s most influential and beloved franchises. Since the founding of Rockstar, Dan Houser has worked as a writer and producer on many of the company’s biggest games. From Bully to L.A. Noire to Red Dead Redemption 2, Dan has made a big mark on the industry.

Dan officially left Rockstar in 2020, making GTA 6, the first game in the franchise that hasn’t involved his oversight or writing. On the one hand, Dan’s exit could prove to be an exciting change of pace, as a fresh tone and approach to storytelling may set GTA 6 apart from the rest of the series. However, on the other hand, it could also be missing the iconic Rockstar feeling that the company has become known for over the years.

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Dan Houser founded a new media company, Absurd Ventures, in 2021.

If GTA 6’s Tone Feels Different, Then Red Dead Redemption 3 is Bound to Also

Red Dead Redemption 3 has not been confirmed by Rockstar.
Dan Houser recently talked about his history with Rockstar on Lex Fridman’s podcast.

When speaking with Fridman, Houser stated that he thinks Red Dead Redemption 3 will probably happen. He said, “Because each of the [Grand Theft Auto] games was a kind of standalone story, it’s not quite the same as…I think probably it would be in some ways sadder if someone continued on Red Dead, because it was a cohesive two-game arc. That might be more sad to hear someone working on that. But again, that will probably happen too. I don’t own the IP. That was part of the deal. It’s a privilege to work on stuff, but you don’t necessarily own it.”

GTA 6‘s new release date is November 19, 2026.

It’s a fascinating piece of insight, because he clearly still has a deep emotional connection to the IP. Also, he makes it clear that GTA stories are slightly easier to write and work on, since they don’t have to connect to one another. This could ultimately make Houser’s absence from GTA 6 not that noticeable, but there’s still the possibility that the difference is clear, and that’s a little sweat-inducing. Dan Houser has already confirmed that he’s not involved in GTA 6‘s story in any way, and that makes the game that much more intriguing and anxiety-spiking.

So, if GTA 6 feels too different from its past entries, it makes me wonder how different Red Dead Redemption 3 could feel. Of course, this is purely speculation (and frankly, paranoia) on my part, but I definitely believe it’s worth taking into consideration before GTA 6 launches.

On the one hand, Dan’s exit could prove to be an exciting change of pace, as a fresh tone and approach to storytelling may set GTA 6 apart from the rest of the series.

Either Way, GTA 6 Marks a New Era for Rockstar

At the moment, there’s no way to know what lies in store for GTA 6. Now that gamers have an extra six months added to the wait time, GTA 6 hopefully contains all the essential Rockstar elements that have made each project a special experience. The tone of the GTA and Red Dead Redemption franchises is vastly different, but the writing could still be affected for both. Although I’m nervous about a Rockstar game without Dan’s writing and producing, I’m still incredibly optimistic. The two trailers that Rockstar has released look phenomenal, and I’m definitely excited about the franchise’s first female protagonist, Lucia. Jason and Lucia’s Bonne and Clyde vibes have my full attention, and I wonder if this duo will actually bring out a more emotional side to GTA, which I actually would be on board for if it’s done well.

Right now, all I and any other gamer can do at the moment is wait for GTA 6 to finally launch. GTA 6 is expected to kickstart a new era of gaming, but only time will tell. Dan may be gone, but Sam Houser still remains Rockstar’s president, and that’s still a sign that the game and any future projects are in good hands.