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 open-world games. He believes that both share a common thread in their world-building and immersive storytelling. Just as authors like Dickens, Zola, and Tolstoy created richly detailed worlds, Houser aims to achieve a similar sense of realism in his own games.
Houser notes that the sense of structure in Victorian novels, such as the use of shaggy dog stories, can be applied to open-world game design. He also emphasizes the importance of physicality in storytelling, citing Dickens' and Tolstoy's focus on realistic, tangible experiences.
This approach was evident in Red Dead Redemption 2, which Houser describes as a "novelistic" experience that aimed to capture the feeling of 19th-century life and death. By merging elements from Middlemarch, Sherlock Holmes, and cowboy pulp fiction, Houser achieved a unique tone that blended realism with fantastical elements.
Houser's fascination with Victorian literature extends beyond game design, as he has recently started exploring novel-writing and podcasting through his new company, Absurd Ventures. His work on A Better Paradise, an online game series set in a vast virtual world, demonstrates his interest in combining immersive storytelling with the freedom of open-world exploration.
The parallels between Houser's approach to game design and Victorian literature raise interesting questions about the evolution of narrative video games. By embracing elements from classic literature, Houser is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in open-world game design, offering a fresh take on immersion and storytelling that blends the old with the new.
Houser notes that the sense of structure in Victorian novels, such as the use of shaggy dog stories, can be applied to open-world game design. He also emphasizes the importance of physicality in storytelling, citing Dickens' and Tolstoy's focus on realistic, tangible experiences.
This approach was evident in Red Dead Redemption 2, which Houser describes as a "novelistic" experience that aimed to capture the feeling of 19th-century life and death. By merging elements from Middlemarch, Sherlock Holmes, and cowboy pulp fiction, Houser achieved a unique tone that blended realism with fantastical elements.
Houser's fascination with Victorian literature extends beyond game design, as he has recently started exploring novel-writing and podcasting through his new company, Absurd Ventures. His work on A Better Paradise, an online game series set in a vast virtual world, demonstrates his interest in combining immersive storytelling with the freedom of open-world exploration.
The parallels between Houser's approach to game design and Victorian literature raise interesting questions about the evolution of narrative video games. By embracing elements from classic literature, Houser is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in open-world game design, offering a fresh take on immersion and storytelling that blends the old with the new.
. He's not alone though, I think a lot of indie devs have been experimenting with similar techniques, like incorporating literary references or using non-linear storytelling. It feels like Rockstar's trying to create a sense of depth and realism in their games that's hard to replicate with modern tech 
. What I'm curious about is how this shift will impact the game industry as a whole - will we see more focus on narrative over gameplay? 
! It's like he's taking all the best parts of those classic novels and infusing them into his games, creating these richly detailed worlds that draw you in. I mean, Red Dead Redemption 2 was already an epic experience, but adding elements from Dickens' and Tolstoy's works must have taken it to a whole new level 
! It's like he's showing us that even in the world of video games, we can still appreciate a good story and immersive experience. And now, with him venturing into novel-writing and podcasting, I'm excited to see what other creative projects he'll bring to life 
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Dan Houser's obsession w/ Victorian lit is SO COOL!!! I mean, who wouldn't wanna explore the similarities between 19th-century novels & open-world games? The idea of shaggy dog stories in game design is GENIUS 
! And I'm loving how he's pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling. Red Dead Redemption 2 was already a masterpiece, but now I'm even more hyped to see what he'll create next! 
Has anyone else played A Better Paradise? I need to get in on that action ASAP 
The idea of incorporating Victorian-era storytelling techniques into modern games is genius. I mean, have you seen the stats on how much time players spend in Red Dead Redemption 2? 
He's got a dedicated audience, and his approach to storytelling is resonating with fans worldwide. I think we can expect more innovative approaches to game design in the future... 
The way Houser is experimenting with shaggy dog stories in his games is genius – it's like he's taking the best parts of a Victorian novel and applying them to an open-world setting. And I'm totally here for Red Dead Redemption 2 being described as "novelistic" 
. It's amazing to see how game designers are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of immersion and storytelling. Can't wait to see what Houser comes up with next! 