Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar and lead writer on Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, has been exploring the similarities between Victorian literature and modern narrative video games. In an interview with a journalist, Houser discussed how he drew inspiration from 19th-century authors like Dickens, Zola, and Tolstoy when working on Red Dead Redemption 2.

Houser's fascination with Victorian literature began when a French journalist compared Grand Theft Auto to Dickens' novels. Houser realized that both shared elements of world-building and immersive storytelling. He noted that these authors created vivid worlds that drew readers in, much like modern open-world games do for players.

For Red Dead Redemption 2, Houser listened to the audiobook of Middlemarch while working on the game's dialogue, seeking to capture the novelistic tone and atmospheric feel of the book. The result was a story that felt more "novelistic" in its approach, with characters' three-dimensional lives and emotions taking center stage.

Houser believes that games can learn from Victorian literature's focus on descriptive detail and immersive storytelling. He aims to create games that not only showcase stunning visuals but also offer rich narratives and memorable characters, drawing inspiration from the best of literary history.

The connection between Victorian literature and video games is more than just a passing similarity; it highlights the evolution of storytelling in media. As Houser's projects continue to push boundaries, we can expect to see even more innovative approaches to narrative design, blurring lines between old and new forms of entertainment.

I'm loving this connection , but I think Dan Houser is being a bit too nostalgic about Victorian literature . I mean, don't get me wrong, those authors are legends, but the key to creating immersive storytelling isn't just about referencing Dickens or Zola, it's about putting in the work to create complex, believable characters and worlds that feel lived-in .

I'm all for games that focus on descriptive detail, like a beautifully rendered open world, but let's not forget that the real magic happens when you add nuance and depth to your storytelling . Red Dead Redemption 2 is an amazing example of this – it's got some incredible narrative moments, and I think Houser's approach can be applied to so many other games in different ways .

Can we see more experimentation with non-linear storytelling, too? I feel like we're still stuck in a linear mindset when it comes to game narratives . Games like Life is Strange or What Remains of Edith Finch have shown us that there's so much potential for innovative, branching storylines . Bring on the future of narrative design!

I'm so down for this trend! It makes total sense that devs would draw inspiration from classic authors who knew how to create immersive worlds & complex characters. I mean, have you played Red Dead Redemption 2? The attention to detail & character development is next level . And can we talk about how much more engaging the story is now? No more just a bunch of random missions, it's like you're actually living in the Wild West . I'd love to see more games take this approach, not just for the storytelling but also for the world-building. It would be amazing to have a game that makes you feel like you're really there, you know?

The way Dan Houser is looking at Victorian literature is really interesting to me. I mean, who would've thought that games like Red Dead Redemption 2 could draw inspiration from Dickens and Tolstoy? It just goes to show how storytelling has evolved over time.

For me, it's not surprising that he listened to the audiobook of Middlemarch while working on the game's dialogue. There's something about the way those authors describe people and places that really draws you in. I remember playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and feeling like I was right there with Arthur Morgan, experiencing his struggles and triumphs.

I think what I love most about this connection is how it highlights the importance of immersive storytelling. Games have come a long way since the early days, but we're still not there yet in terms of creating rich narratives and memorable characters. Dan Houser's approach is definitely a step in the right direction, and I'm excited to see where he takes his projects next!

I think its pretty cool that Dan Houser is drawing inspiration from 19th-century authors for his games . I mean, who wouldn't want their game to feel like a rich novel with characters that have depth? The idea that he listened to the audiobook of Middlemarch while working on Red Dead Redemption 2's dialogue is genius . It makes sense that he'd be drawn to authors who knew how to create immersive worlds and characters, but I'm curious to see how this will play out in his future projects. Maybe we'll get to experience a game that feels like a cinematic novel

I gotta say, I'm loving Dan Houser's insight on Victorian literature influencing Red Dead Redemption 2 . It makes total sense that he'd draw inspiration from those authors - their world-building skills are still unmatched to this day. Middlemarch is actually one of my fave novels, btw, and I can see how listening to the audiobook would help Houser craft a more immersive story . Games learning from literature? No surprise there - it's all about storytelling at the end of the day. We're already seeing games like The Last of Us and God of War do this masterfully, so I'm excited to see what other innovative approaches we get in the future

I gotta think about this Dan Houser guy and how he's taking inspiration from Dickens and Zola... it's like, what if games are the ultimate modernist experiment? We're talking immersive worlds, complex characters, and a narrative that's all about atmosphere and feel... it's like we're living in a 19th-century novel already . But for real though, I think Houser is onto something - these Victorian authors knew how to build worlds that drew you in, and games can learn from that. It's not just about graphics or gameplay; it's about crafting an experience that makes you feel like you're part of the story... that's what's gonna take games to the next level

lol nice try Dan Houser trying to sound all deep about Victorian literature but let's be real the only thing he borrowed is the whole "atmospheric feel" vibe from middlemarch idk if he even actually read it tho anyway i guess its cool that some ppl are gonna start paying attention to narrative design and visuals in games now maybe itll actually make em more engagin instead of just bein a bunch of shoot-em-up nonsense

I'm loving this resurgence of interest in Victorian literature as an influence on modern games! It totally makes sense that Dan Houser would draw inspiration from authors like Dickens, Zola, and Tolstoy - their writing styles are all about creating immersive worlds and complex characters... have you played Red Dead Redemption 2's story mode? The attention to detail and character development is insane! I think it's also really interesting that Houser listened to the audiobook of Middlemarch while working on the game, it must've been a totally different experience compared to reading the book... like, what are your thoughts on games learning from literature? Should we be exploring more classic texts in our gaming worlds or is this just a natural evolution of storytelling anyway?

I think its kinda cool how Dan Houser is drawing inspiration from classic authors like Dickens and Tolstoy for his games... Like, who would've thought that games could learn a thing or two from 19th-century literature? But seriously, it makes sense - both Victorian novels and open-world games are all about creating immersive worlds that draw you in. And I love how Houser is listening to audiobooks of classic novels while working on game dialogue... that's just genius

I'm not surprised he's trying to make games sound all fancy by comparing them to Victorian literature... like that's gonna make the open-world gameplay more "novelistic". Newsflash: just because you listen to an audiobook while working on a game doesn't mean it's deep or meaningful. It's still just another shallow attempt at making us feel something for our characters' feelings. And what's with this obsession with trying to make games look like books? Can't they just innovate and try new things instead of copying someone else's style?

I saw that interview with Dan Houser and I gotta say, his connection to Victorian literature is pretty interesting. Like, who wouldn't want to draw inspiration from Dickens and Tolstoy? Their writing style is so immersive and detailed, it's no wonder it translates well to video games. I mean, Red Dead Redemption 2 is already an amazing game, but hearing that Houser was inspired by Middlemarch specifically is mind-blowing . It makes sense that he would want to capture that novelistic tone in the dialogue and characters. Now I'm curious to see how this will influence future games... will we get even more narrative-driven experiences?

I'm not sure if I love or hate that Dan Houser is drawing inspiration from Victorian literature for his games ... like, isn't the point of video games to be all fast-paced and action-packed? shouldn't he be more worried about making a sick multiplayer mode? But at the same time, can we really deny how cool it would be to have a game that feels like a fully realized novel, you know? I mean, Red Dead Redemption 2 was already so immersive, and if Houser is drawing from Dickens and Tolstoy, maybe he'll take it to a whole new level... or maybe it's just gonna feel too slow for some players Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't know whether this is a good thing or not, but hey, it's definitely interesting

just read this link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenric...e-is-influencing-video-games/?sh=5c9a1e6d66f2 I think dan houser is onto something. the attention to detail in games has always been lacking, but if we can learn from victorian literature's focus on descriptive detail, i think we'll see some amazing stories come out of it. like, who says you need 4k graphics to tell a great story? middlemarch is literally 500 pages long and it's still one of the greatest novels ever written... maybe games just need to take a cue from that

The way Dan Houser is incorporating elements from Victorian literature into Red Dead Redemption 2 is really cool . I mean, who wouldn't want a game that feels like reading a novel while playing? It's all about creating this immersive experience where you're not just shooting people, but you actually care about their lives and emotions . Houser's use of audiobooks as reference is also genius – listening to Middlemarch while writing dialogue must have added so much depth to the game.

I think it's awesome that he's taking inspiration from literature to make games more "novelistic" . It shows that the medium isn't just about gameplay, but also about storytelling and atmosphere. And I'm sure his fans are going to appreciate the extra effort he put into making Red Dead Redemption 2 feel like a work of art. Can't wait to see what's next!