Dan Houser: GTA 3 Cover Replaced After 9/11 in Two Evenings
In an IGN interview, the former Rockstar co-founder says Stephen Bliss drew the new Grand Theft Auto 3 box art after the original burning-buildings cover was pulled.
Dan Houser has revealed that the cover art for Grand Theft Auto 3 was replaced at the last minute because the original version featured burning buildings and was considered too offensive after the September 11 attacks. The former Rockstar Games co-founder made the comments in an interview with IGN, according to Eurogamer.
Houser said the replacement art was created by artist Stephen Bliss, who finished it in roughly two evenings. He also said some content and a couple of dialogue lines were removed from the game following the attacks.
Grand Theft Auto 3 was released in October 2001, just weeks after 9/11, and the cover that replaced the original went on to become one of the most recognisable layouts in the series.
Next project at Absurd Ventures
Houser, who left Rockstar Games in 2020, also discussed his current work. He said Absurd Ventures is developing an open world action-adventure game, described as a story-driven action-comedy adventure set in the Absurdaverse.
Houser had previously commented on the physical games debate in July, saying companies should provide physical releases if people want them and that the ability to update games has been very useful.
Quick answers
Why was Grand Theft Auto 3's original cover art changed?
Dan Houser said the original cover included burning buildings and was deemed too offensive after 9/11, so it was replaced at the last minute.
Who created the replacement GTA 3 cover art?
Artist Stephen Bliss created the new cover in about two evenings, according to Houser.
What is Dan Houser working on now?
He said Absurd Ventures is working on an open world action-adventure game described as a story-driven action-comedy adventure set in the Absurdaverse.