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Rockstar wants to f**k casual gaming right in its ear photo

Rockstar Games' Vice President of creativity and Grand Theft Auto writer Dan Houser has very vocally attacked the "casual gaming" craze currently gripping the games industry. He didn't feel the need to be particularly eloquent about it, either.

"F*** all this stuff about casual gaming," ranted the man who co-wrote GTA IV. "I think people still want games that are groundbreaking. The Wii is doing something totally different, which is fantastic. We're hopefully going to prove that there's also a very big audience for people who want entertainment in another form, who think of games as being a narrative device that can challenge movies."

Houser also attacked videogames with fantasy themes such as "orcs and elves, or monsters, or space." Houser believes Rockstar's themes are superior, as his company's games are "about something we could actually relate to. Or aspire to." Now, I love Grand Theft Auto, don't get me wrong -- but I can't say I particularly aspire to be an Eastern European human smuggler, drug runner and murderer. Nor do I wish to be an escaped mental patient on a killing spree, or a table tennis player. I can't say Rockstar makes games with life goals that echo my own. 

Houser also spoke up about GTA IV's violence by saying; "If you don't like any violent content in your entertainment, then I apologize because I do. And I've unfortunately been exposed to it my entire life. If we equally got rid of a lot of books that talk about violence, okay."

I think the casual gaming buzz term is stupid, but to tar fantasy games with the same brush isn't very fair. Nor is it correct to hold Rockstar Games up as a bastion of thematic creativity. There is a lot of inventiveness in GTA, but it still plays many of the same notes it did almost a decade ago, and there's not a lot else Rockstar has done to push gaming forward as an art form.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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44 comments | showing # 1 to 44
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B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:01
B-Radicate
Yeah, they haven't done too much except for revolutionizing the face of the industry through non-linear open-world adventures in fully interactive 3D environments OR by crafting some of the most cinematic and engrossing (and contemporary) tales to date.

I don't give them props for either of those feats, as well.

Also, I like this guy.
NightDehumidifier's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:06
NightDehumidifier
Good luck in your failing war, fellas. Reasons being:

1. They're cheap to make.
2. They're simple to play.
3. They're effective for those who want a game to play that doesn't engulf hours of their time.
4. Anyone can have access to it without spending money on systems or high-end PCs.
5. Mass appeal, age of 4 to age of 94 can play.

More people play Bejeweled than GTA. More people know of Peggle than Mass Effect. How many of us know of Solitaire only from playing it on the computer?
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:07
Jim Sterling
"Yeah, they haven't done too much except for revolutionizing the face of the industry through non-linear open-world adventures in fully interactive 3D environments"

Almost what, a decade ago? I'm not taking anything away from Rockstar, but you can't deny that all its GTA games, including GTA IV, are mostly reworkings of the one idea. I *love* GTA, but I am not going to pretend that its latest chapter is hugely innovative of the series. It's just a whole bunch more of what we've known -- and I love that. I just think it's a bit rich to claim to be a thematic trailblazer.

"OR by crafting some of the most cinematic and engrossing (and contemporary) tales to date."

All a matter of taste. I think it's a really well-crafted story, but again, nothing I'd hold up as the epitome of storytelling in games.

I like GTA a lot, I consider myself quite the fan. But a lot of it is no more fresh and exciting than the casual games that Houser attacks.
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:10
ParaParaKing
Gamers want games, that are ground breaking? Strangely GTA4 isn't anything ground breaking.
Quest's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:10
Quest
R* ownz the Wii :)

i had fun with my wii the first month ...
Tragic Hero's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:14
Tragic Hero
What a sad statement. Engrossing story? GTA3 was as deep as a piece of construction paper and none of the other games were any deeper. Pretty soon GTA is going to become like Madden (if it already hasn't).
solarmystic's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:19
solarmystic
Rockstar are truly THE ROCKSTARS of the gaming world right now, and as such, they have carte blanche to take a piss on the Wii and whomever else that represents the kiddy friendly pissant Wii... for better or worse..

Personally though, i support their stance on 'casual gaming' but think their rant on games with fantasy themes are a bit much, considering that many of the greats in gaming belong to that genre. Notable examples include the Zelda and Final Fantasy fanchises..
liquidninja's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:19
liquidninja
People have been taking that quote horribly out of context.

He never said "fuck casual games". He's not dissing the Wii. He's just pointing out how stupid the buzz word is.

So many developers think:
casual games = easy money.

But he's saying fuck all that sh**. People still want thought put into their games.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:22
Cyberxion
I've had fun with mine for the entire...lessee, year and 3 months that I've had it. And though people assume Wii owners buy nothing but Nintendo games, out of the 8 games I currently own for the thing, only two of them are first-party games, and not a single one of them could reasonably be labeled as a "casual game".

I'm all for GTA and whatnot, but yeah, gamers are a diverse group. We like what we like, and we don't need some egotistical douche-bag to tell us what he thinks that is, no matter how great a contribution his games have made to the industry.
bmdubya's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:25
bmdubya
I like Dan Houser. I think he makes great points. I know that I'm not really big into this casual games trend. I still want games that have depth, that take 40 hours to complete, and have an awesome storyline behind it. GTA is a funny franchise though. Either you love it or you hate it. I love it personally, the GTA games have always been my favorite. I think his statement about fantasy games may be a little to much, but I think what he means is that people want something that is believable. While a Eastern European man coming to America and terrorizing a city isn't very believable, it is more believable than dragons and elves running around everywhere. But thats just my thoughts.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:28
Cyberxion
By the way, the fact that the masses ate up GTA IV doesn't give him carte blanche to do shit aside from getting to work on the next GTA, or whatever they're doing next.

Seriously, when will people stop putting these fuckers on pedestals?
njsykora's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:31
njsykora
Its a bit hypocritical of Rockstar to be swiping at the Wii (if they were swiping at the Wii, which they weren't, read the article wankarse) but I don't think they themselves are doing much to help the casual tag out the door when they themselves are so resolutely stuck on a series which is completely beyond reach of a lot of the gamers being brought into the medium now. That's not to say they've done nothing however, Table Tennis was excellent but they've done nothing to follow up on that.
Crass's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:40
Crass
If you have a career and family you have no other choice but to be a casual gamer, if you want to keep both. 8 hours a week or so is all that I have to offer towards my hobby.

I still only buy the games that I want to buy... nothing changed no matter how much I play. Of course I do try to stay away from the 100+ hour RPGs and MMOs.

I think the casual gamer buzz word is being used in the wrong context. It should be directed at people like me that still enjoy playing just dont have the shit load of time to invest like they use to, and not directed at someone who only picks up a controller when friends come over.

debate if you disagree
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:43
king3vbo
Hey NightDehumidifier, do you shit on everything? Whats it like to be completely unhappy with everything ever made?
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:45
Kryptinite
NightDehumidifier was not loved as a child: CONFIRMED
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 11:51
Shin Oni
This is what happens when you're a nobody company at first, make a ok game to a big hit, then make millions. Ego explodes and they think they can talk shit.

I wonder if they know half the people who buy or play GTA games are casual gamers.
Respectable Gentleman's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:00
Respectable Gentleman
um... I hate casual games. Only because I bought a wii. I was hoping to play some sweet games on it. How cool would fight night be on the wii, huh? My fear is that nintendo will continue to take this direction with its next console. Oh and orcs ate my family.
MisterMingo's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:08
MisterMingo
They're going to prove there's still a market for hardcore games? I don't believe it. That's bullshit. Only casual games make any money these days. Nobody buys GTA anymore.
big filth's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:11
big filth
Jesus Sterling.... Another GTAIV related post?!

Is rockstar paying you or what?
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:25
Aaron Mxy Yost
Why can't I aspire to be an elf?
tincow's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:28
tincow
This is calculated. More hype. That's what Rockstar games is.

They get attention by pushing buttons and score points with their "can't have fun if I'm not shooting hookers" hardcore fanbase that hates the Wii and casual games, for some unknown reason. Win-win. :)
Ha-Puken's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:29
Ha-Puken
Brucie says: "Hey Sterling, stay alpha!"
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:31
Cyberxion
@ njsykora

I do hope you're not talking to me.
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:48
RAB
I was totally with the dude up until he said something about "something to aspire to".

Jack is gonna jump on that statement like i jump up and down on the skulls of prostitutes every day.

huh?
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:50
RAB
Also i can totally aspire to me a warrior.


fuck that
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 12:58
naia-the-gamer
@Mxyzptlk:

Yeah fuck them! I want to be an elf too!

Forgetting the casual gaming comments, but I'm pissed he thinks his "real" world environment is sooooo much better than fantasy world. I play video games to be in worlds I could never go to in real life.

That statement makes him sound like a dick.
Phoenix Gamma's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 13:32
Phoenix Gamma
When I read the title, I thought "great, another stupid developer saying the Wii is shit." Then I saw that he actually digs the Wii and just wants to see less Cooking Mama and more of the stuff that served us well in the past 30 years or so. I think he got way too carried away when he got to the fantasy part, though I agree that RPGs rely on that theme way too often.

I lawled at the part about the violence. I don't like GTA, but I dig what it tries to do and the like.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 13:52
DaedHead8
I think Dan just wants everyone to forget that The Elder Scrolls did sandbox gameplay way before GTA ever did.
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 14:02
Volomon
They own Elder Scrolls now so why would they care, that why it has an M rating cause they own it.

I think the man has all the right to rip on everyone else but himself. He's earned that right. The aspiration factor I think he's talking about the innate loyalty, the quest for acceptance and the right to know why.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 14:54
-PL-
I guess this means I'll never see a GTA in space :(

And if anybody says Scrapland, I will stab your face through the monitor.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 15:08
TrailerParkJesus
Meh, the guy's gone mad with money, he can say whatever he wants.
Spartacus's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 15:09
Spartacus
A bit arrogant, but guys, wouldn't a GTA Mars Colony be amazing?
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 15:54
Kyousuke Nanbu
Not everyone enjoys realistic type settings, everyone loves a good fantasy, this guy is pretty full of himself, I guess he can be with GTA doing so well.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 16:08
Sharpless
Rockstar is a bunch of cocks. They do make the occasional great game, but I'm really sick of their general arrogance and "ooh, we're so cutting edge and controversial!" attitude. STFUAJMG.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 16:36
necrozen
i didnt buy the new GTA, and I dont own a ps3. friend of mine brought both over and we played for like maybe 20 minutes. i thought it was boring. fighting was boring, driving was boring, it was kinda cool wondering around for a bit i guess. I told my friend i didnt like the game and he was like, "Yeah but you have a cell phone!" 10 minutes later he got bored and we plugged my wii back in. we played a 2 hour round of brawl and then spent the rest of the night playing through Metroid Corrupstion. When it came time to leave, i shit you not, he almost left his ps3 at my house. Oh, he told me days later that he stopped by target to grab a wii on the way home but there werent any.

FUCK CASUAL GAMES!!
xyzzy929's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 17:22
xyzzy929
@MisterMingo

You stupid or something? "Nobody buys GTA anymore." *snorts* You, sir, are a dumbshit.

Oh, and to everyone hating on Rockstar, READ THE FUCKING ARTICLE DUMBSHITS!! And you hate on Jack Thompson for talking shit about stuff he doesn't care enough to find out about. *shakes head in deep disgust* You make me fucking sick, you fucking hypocrites.
xyzzy929's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 17:29
xyzzy929
@necrozen

And as for you, why are you here if you're not a hardcore gamer? That goes for anyone that reads this. I play GTA IV and enjoy it very much, thank you. I didn't say you had to like it, but don't you ever come here and say hardcore gaming is shit. Ever. You, my friend, have an enemy.

Fucking jerk-offs.
brownpig's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 18:27
brownpig
The city, the pedestrians, and the euphoria physics is groundbreaking in my book. I can't think of any other game that is as consistently innovative as GTA is. The actual gameplay design is not as innovative as Shadow of Colossus, but no one seriously plays GTA for the singleplayer mode, right? Its about the city simulation.
Seta Soujiro's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 18:28
Seta Soujiro
"This is what happens when you're a nobody company at first, make a ok game to a big hit, then make millions. Ego explodes and they think they can talk shit.

I wonder if they know half the people who buy or play GTA games are casual gamers."
How much truth in all that! xD
[sarcasm]Stop talking crap and go make your next GROUNDBREAKING game, GTAV.[/sarcasm]
Zac Bentz's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 18:32
Zac Bentz
What is it with all these roid-raging developers giving Nintendo a Hot Carl? It's like the weak little nerd at school, aged 30 years, getting all popular, then going back to Jr. High and punching some random girl in the crotch.

Shut the fuck up and do the job we pay you to do, assholes.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 18:36
necrozen
@ xyzzy929

I don't think I have to define the way that I game in order to read and enjoy a gaming website. I like reading destructoid. I don't have to call myself HARDCORE or casual in order be a gamer. I play games. All kinds of games. I'll play halflife2, follow that with some harvest moon, then pop in ikaruga, play some metroid corruption, then go hit tempest and blackwidow in the cabinet. I've been playing games since the Atari. I'll keep playing games.

Also, I never said that "hardcore gaming" (whatever that is) is shit. I said that GTA IV is shit. It's my opinion. It shouldn't even matter to you.

The fact that I thought one game was boring doesn't define me as a person.

In fact, I do a lot more than play games, and none of what i do defines me as a person. I go to plays, but I'm not a HARDCORE PLAY WATCHER DRINK MOUNTAIN DEW. I like to go to the art museum, but I'm not HARDCORE ART AFICIANATO METAL MUSIC MOUNTAIN DEW. I enjoy sculpting bonsai, cooking and watching classic horror films. I have a dog and I enjoy lifting weights. I'm just a dude. Some games I like. Some I don't.

If you want to be an enemy of me because I don't like a game, I guess that is ok. But I'd rather be friends and set our differences aside. How about you like the games you like and i like the games i like, and we don't have to battle on the lip of a volcano over my opinion?
PipsterX's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2008 23:43
PipsterX
Hardcore gamers...Casual gamers... Narrative device themes...Fantasy themes...CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG??!!
PipsterX's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2008 09:17
PipsterX
By the way, after reading Houser's quotes in the full context of the interview, he doesn't come off as such jackass after all.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/07/2008 12:58
Holyetheline
I love Rockstar. A lot.
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