Sam Houser (born November 3, 1971) is a British video game producer and developer, best known as the co-founder and current president of Rockstar Games. Alongside his brother, Dan Houser, he is a primary creator of the Grand Theft Auto franchise and has served as an executive producer on numerous titles, shaping the direction of some of the most successful video games of all time.
Background
Sam Houser began his career in 1990, joining Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) in the company's post-room. By 1994, he was named to BMG's new interactive entertainment division, and by 1996, he had become the Head of Development at BMG Interactive. In December 1998, Houser co-founded Rockstar Games with his brother Dan Houser and Terry Donovan, serving as the company's president and executive producer.
Despite being the creators of the massively successful Grand Theft Auto franchise, both Sam and Dan Houser have historically avoided the media spotlight, preferring to let the Rockstar Games brand itself take precedence over any individual.
Houser's creative vision has been central to the Grand Theft Auto series. He described the three sixth-generation games as a "trilogy, featuring our distorted look at the East Coast around the time of the millennium (Grand Theft Auto III), followed by our reinterpretation of '80s Miami (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City), and lastly, our look at early-'90s California (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)."
His protective stance on the franchise's creative integrity is highlighted by a notable event where a Hollywood producer proposed a Grand Theft Auto film starring Eminem and directed by Tony Scott. As revealed in Rockstar Co-founder Reveals Why Grand Theft Auto Never Got a Big Screen Adaptation, Sam Houser rejected the offer, simply stating he was "not interested."
Personality and Traits
Houser is known for his meticulous and demanding approach to game development. For Grand Theft Auto III, he described his own role as being "militant on ensuring the game had a look, a sound, a story and a feel that worked." This reflects a deep commitment to creating a cohesive and immersive world. He and his brother have also been characterized by their desire to remain private, focusing on their work and the Rockstar brand rather than personal fame.
Physical Appearance
While Houser avoids the public spotlight, he has appeared as an Easter egg in several Grand Theft Auto games. In Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, he is depicted as the clerk at Ammu-Nation stores.
Relationships
Sam's brother is Dan Houser, with whom he co-founded Rockstar Games. They worked together for over two decades, with Sam as President and Dan as Vice President of Creativity. Their partnership was foundational to the success of franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead. Dan Houser departed from Rockstar Games in 2020, as detailed in Dan Houser, Co-Founder Of Rockstar Games, Is Leaving The Company.
Terry Donovan was a co-founder of Rockstar Games alongside the Houser brothers.
Movie Appearance
Sam Houser was portrayed by actor Daniel Radcliffe in the 2015 BBC film, The Gamechangers, which dramatized the controversy surrounding Grand Theft Auto and the efforts of attorney Jack Thompson to campaign against the game.
Reception
In recognition of their impact on popular culture and the video game industry, both Sam and Dan Houser were featured in Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2009 list.
Gallery
Trivia
- Sam Houser appears as an Easter egg in Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as the Ammu-Nation clerk.
- A statue of his Ammu-Nation character can be found in Downtown Square in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
