Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser believes that players should enjoy open-world games in their own way. At a panel at the Tribeca Festival, Houser stated that he doesn't care if players finish the main story, as long as they have fun in the game's world.
Houser's creative partner, Lazlow, added that the team loves hiding deep Easter eggs in their games, which can take players years to discover. This approach to game design allows players to experience the story and world in their own way.
The goal of open-world games, according to Houser, is to provide players with agency and freedom to explore and interact with the game's systems. He believes that this approach is what makes the games enjoyable, rather than the story itself.
