Why GTA Games Are Always Set in the US?

In a recent interview, Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser explained why the Grand Theft Auto series has almost exclusively used American settings and why a mainline game may never be set outside the United States. According to Houser, the franchise’s core identity is too deeply intertwined with “Americana” to work elsewhere.

Appearing on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Houser acknowledged the 1999 “GTA: London” expansion but emphasized that a full-scale game in a foreign location wouldn’t capture the same essence.

Houser, who led creative direction and writing for multiple GTA titles, stated that the series relies on core elements inherent to the American cultural landscape.

“We always decided that there was so much Americana inherent in the IP, it would be really hard to make it work in London or anywhere else,” Houser said. “You needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters… It just felt like the game was so much about America.”

Former Rockstar boss Dan Houser says the setting of the Grand Theft Auto series won’t leave the United States. https://t.co/cuZcNyfquX pic.twitter.com/PD2kVQQSHw

— IGN (@IGN) November 3, 2025

This philosophy is reflected in the games’ fictional cities, which are parodies of major American metropolises like New York (Liberty City), Miami (Vice City), and Los Angeles (Los Santos). The upcoming GTA 6 will return to a modernized Vice City within the Florida-inspired state of Leonia

Although Houser left Rockstar in 2020 and is not involved in GTA 6, he commented on the series’ enduring appeal. He attributed its sustained popularity to significant innovation between releases and strong marketing.

Read: GTA 6 Revenue Predictions: $2 Billion in First 24 Hours at $80 Price Point

“Because they don’t come out that regularly,” Houser said, noting that each installment feels distinctly different, which fuels player anticipation and debate.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is officially scheduled for launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on May 26, 2026.