In an unexpected twist of irony, Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar, has found himself the subject of online banter. Netizens are drawing attention to his past remarks about the release timing of Grand Theft Auto VI. Houser once expressed relief that the highly anticipated game would not debut during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Back in 2018, when promoting Red Dead Redemption 2, Houser candidly expressed his gratitude that Grand Theft Auto VI would not see the light of day while Trump occupied the Oval Office. He remarked on the challenges of creating satire in a politically charged environment, noting, “Both intense liberal progression and intense conservatism are very militant and angry,” adding that the landscape often strays into the territory of the absurd. Satire, he pointed out, becomes difficult when reality eclipses it at such a rapid pace.
Fast forward to the present, with Trump re-elected as the 47th President of the United States and due to take office again on January 20th, 2025. Coincidentally, 2025 is also bookmarked for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for a fall launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
These circumstances have led to a comedic explosion on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, with users poking fun at the situation. Many have humorously speculated that Trump’s return to the presidency could prompt another delay for the game, suggesting it might need to be pushed to 2029 if developers wish to avoid coinciding with his term.
Amidst the online banter, it’s noteworthy that Dan Houser departed from Rockstar Games in 2020 to establish his new venture, Absurd Ventures. His latest creative endeavors include pioneering two ambitious projects: “American Caper” and “A Better Paradise.” Unlike the interactive video games he’s known for, these projects are set to debut as a graphic novel and an audio fiction series, respectively.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits the arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI, the humor surrounding its release under a Trump presidency serves as a lighthearted prelude to what promises to be another groundbreaking chapter in the franchise’s storied history.
