What is the right way to play an open world game? GTA 6 maker answers

Open world games have their own charm. One minute you’re in the middle of an intense combat sequence and the next, you’re doing absolutely nothing and just staring at a random sunset. The story of the game will always be there and you’re free to explore it any time you want. Now not everyone has the same experience with open world games. Some finish through the main story first and then take up side quests while some might not want to get to the side quests at all. And in some rare cases, people might just enjoy the open world for what it is and never finish the main story at all.

Survey

And guess what? That’s perfectly fine. According to GTA 6 maker Rockstar Games’ co-founder Dan Houser, there is no right way to play an open world game. He said that even though he would like it if people would finish the main story, it is also perfectly fine if they don’t. And coming from the co-founder of the company behind one of the most popular open world gaming franchises ever made, that means something.

Also read: Resident Evil Code Veronica is making a comeback and fans have waited years for this

Rockstar Games co-founder on open world games

Speaking at a panel during the Tribeca Festival recently, Dan Houser said that players should enjoy open world games however they want, even if that means never reaching the end credits. According to him, finishing the story isn’t the only measure of whether someone got value from a game.

Houser basically said that even though developers spend years crafting stories and naturally hope players experience them, the real appeal of an open world game often lies elsewhere. He acknowledged that for many players, the fun comes from simply existing in the world, experimenting with its systems and creating their own memorable moments. And that’s perfectly okay.

Now think about any GTA game. Chances are some of your favourite memories weren’t part of a mission. They were either the unexpected moments that happened when you decided to see how far a car could fly off a cliff or those moments when you spent hours exploring parts of the map that had nothing to do with the story.

What GTA got right early

Houser wasn’t just making a random statement here. His remarks actually reflect what GTA franchise got right early on. Right from the earlier GTA games, the studio recognised that player freedom is what makes open world games special. Yes, they did encourage players to finish the main story but also knew that people should have the choice to interact with the world however they want rather than being forced down a specific path.

That is one of the reasons why Rockstar’s games remain relevant years after launch. Houser’s longtime creative partner Lazlow also revealed that the team often hid Easter eggs and secrets so deeply that players would take years to discover them. The interesting part is that in some cases, developers themselves wondered whether they had made the clues too difficult to find, only for dedicated fans to eventually uncover them and spark fresh discussions online.

So, Houser’s comments reinforce something many gamers have believed for years: there is no correct way to play an open world game. If you’re having fun, you’re playing it right.

What is special about open world games?

As we’ve established already, open world games are designed in a way that encourages curiosity. The devs usually create huge maps filled with activities, hidden locations, random encounters and details that players may never see during a normal playthrough.

And this is one of the reasons why games like GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring continue to attract players years after launch. After all, 2 people can spend many hours in the same game and still walk away with completely different stories to tell. And it is this unpredictability which makes these games so appealing.

What do you think of open world games and Houser’s comments? Do let us know. And keep watching this space for more such updates.

Also read: Gaming handhelds can also become mini PCs: Bruce Lin talks about MSI Claw 8 and more

Divyanshi Sharma

Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile