Rockstar: Best console games come at the end of the lifecycle
Writer Dan Houser on why GTA 5 isn't next gen
GTA writer Dan Houser has explained why Rockstar decided against developing the next instalment of its flagship Grand Theft Auto franchise for next gen.
"Rockstar is a content company, not a hardware company," he said in an interview, published by Japanese magazine Famitsu and translated by Polygon.
"We use the technology we have to create content, and we try not to let ourselves get beholden to the hardware. The fact that hardware's so mature right now is exactly why we're able to go on to the next level. GTA 4 was our first attempt at a new platform and HD visuals, so the first part of development was seriously difficult."
Grand Theft Auto 5 is due for release next spring on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
"Now we know what the hardware's capable of, so it's become a lot easier to move things along and a lot more fun, too. GTA: San Andreas came out at the peak of the PlayStation 2's cycle, and we put out a really good game thanks to that. All the best games for a console come out at the end of the lifecycle, right? So now's the best timing of all."