Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has clarified the reasoning behind the Grand Theft Auto series remaining set in the United States. On a recent podcast, he noted that the core essence of Grand Theft Auto is closely linked to Americana, making it difficult to replicate the same experience in other countries. Despite having launched a spinoff titled GTA London years ago, Houser believes the franchise's identity is deeply rooted in American culture, which involves larger-than-life characters and themes that resonate most with a U.S. backdrop. This trend will continue with the upcoming title GTA 6, set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida. Trailers from the game highlight a parody of American life, further solidifying GTA's connection to its homeland.

n

A fascinating aspect of this is that a new college class is set to explore American history through the lens of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, illustrating its significant impact on players' perceptions of real-world places. Similarly, the Fallout series, developed by Bethesda, maintains its focus on American settings due to the thematic depth of "Americana naivete." As anticipation builds for GTA 6's release on May 26, 2026, many fans are left questioning the franchise's potential to explore international settings in the future.

Will Grand Theft Auto ever have a game set outside of the U.S.?

It seems unlikely given the series' historical ties to American culture and themes, as expressed by Dan Houser. Rockstar has consistently emphasized that the franchise thrives on its American identity, which would be challenging to translate effectively to other locations.