Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA 4) has a noticeably darker and more somber atmosphere than previous and subsequent games in the series. This pessimistic tone stemmed from the personal life of Rockstar Games co-founder and lead writer Dan Houser. In a podcast, Houser explained why the beloved open-world game felt so melancholic.

The Rockstar founder admitted: “I was single and unhappy when I made GTA 4.”

Recalling the time he wrote Niko Bellic’s story, Dan Houser said, “I had been living in New York for a few years and wasn’t sure if I was happy.” As usual, Houser noted that he experienced a lot of personal drama, emphasizing that this situation directly influenced the game’s story.

Houser said he recently revisited GTA 4 and realized how dark the game was. He explained that he understood the reason immediately, saying, “I was single and unhappy. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in America.” He stated that his life was in a state of great uncertainty, and that this feeling carried over into the game.

However, Houser’s personal problems weren’t the only reason for the game’s bleakness. As a company, they were also going through a difficult period. They were under immense pressure, particularly due to the “Hot Coffee” scandal. “While we were making GTA 4, we thought we could be shut down at any moment,” Houser said, expressing his concerns at the time.

The Hot Coffee controversy stemmed from the discovery of a hidden sex minigame in GTA: San Andreas. This content caused a major scandal for the studio. The game was pulled from store shelves, and Rockstar was forced to release a new version restricting the minigame. The game’s age rating was even revised to “Adults Only.”

Dan Houser added that after the success and relative personal stability they achieved with GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas, life suddenly felt very uncertain. He stated that all this turmoil and uncertainty somehow “seeped” into the fabric of GTA 4 and set the game’s ultimate tone.

GTA 4’s dark atmosphere sets it apart from other games in the series. So, what are your thoughts on GTA 4’s story? Which game is your favorite in the series?