Rockstar founder Dan Houser expresses wish to end The Wild Bunch

Dan Houser, one of the legendary founders behind Rockstar Games and the minds behind both the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead series, shared some surprisingly personal thoughts recently. While participating in a podcast interview, he expressed his desire for the Red Dead series – specifically its two-game arc – to conclude right where it stands, even as he acknowledged the possibility of future installments.

The catalyst for this reflection was the enduring success and critical acclaim of Red Dead Redemption 2. Houser, who was deeply involved in crafting the narrative for both the Red Dead and GTA series, spoke highly of Red Dead 2, considering it his crowning achievement in his career. He highlighted how the game successfully introduced a compelling new protagonist and delivered storytelling that many consider the gold standard in the gaming industry. This deep connection to the narrative, he explained, is why the core story feels complete to him. "It would be sad," he admitted, if someone else were to continue the saga, because, in his view, the central arc of the Red Dead story has already reached its natural endpoint. He contrasted this with the GTA series, where each game generally presents a standalone, albeit complex, story. That difference makes the potential continuation of Red Dead feel different, almost bittersweet, from the evolution of characters like Jack or Michael in GTA.

This perspective resonated strongly with many fans. There's a palpable sense that the first two Red Dead games have already painted a near-perfect picture of the Van der Linde gang's rise and fall. The idea of a third game, whether it delves deeper into the origins of the gang or continues the story of characters like Jack Marston, carries a significant weight. Many worry it might be impossible to top the narrative depth and emotional resonance of Red Dead 2, potentially leading to repetitive territory or ideas that feel less fresh and innovative.

Adding another layer to his comments, Houser's current situation also colours his view. He left Rockstar several years after Red Dead 2's release to found his own venture, Absurd Ventures. Despite this new chapter bringing its own set of exciting challenges, he hasn't forgotten the series he helped build. The thought of seeing Red Dead evolve without his direct involvement seems to weigh heavier on him than stepping away from GTA. He specifically mentioned feeling "more" melancholic about the Red Dead situation compared to the GTA scenario.

Rockstar's current focus certainly doesn't alleviate the uncertainty surrounding Red Dead. The studio is fully immersed in the development of GTA 6, a project positioned as a major cornerstone for their future. Consequently, the path for Red Dead beyond its existing two-game story remains unclear, shrouded in the usual Rockstar veil of secrecy. It’s a situation where corporate plans and personal artistic wishes are in a delicate, perhaps unresolvable, dance.