GTA co-creator's advice for young people - When you get a chance, take it | Dan Houser

Quick Overview

Dan Houser advises young people to seize opportunities immediately, emphasizing that waiting too long can lead to regret, especially when facing dangerous situations like being chased by people with machetes in South America, which prompted him to flee to New York and ultimately led to his career success in entertainment.

Key Points: Houser advises young people to take chances immediately and not worry about being too young for a career opportunity. He recounts a near-death experience in Colombia around 1998 where he was chased by men with machetes and a broken gun. Following the dangerous South American incident, Houser fled to New York City, which he found more exciting than London. His time in New York, which involved working on a game for six weeks and writing statements, was a formative, fun experience. Houser suggests that avoiding vocational degrees and pursuing something random before focusing is beneficial, stating that the more interesting you find your own head, the less you annoy yourself. He notes that the intensity and energy of New York, despite its potential dangers like sirens and people screaming, was a positive influence. The Cabaret Law, which banned dancing in New York venues without a rare license, was created in 1926 and finally repealed in 2017.

Context: This segment features an interview with Dan Houser, co-creator of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, where he discusses career advice for young people with Lex Fridman. Houser shares anecdotes from his past, including a dangerous incident in South America that spurred his move to New York and his subsequent involvement in the entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities without hesitation.

Detailed Analysis

Dan Houser provides direct advice to young people, urging them to take chances immediately rather than waiting until they feel they are older or more qualified, stating, "When you get a chance, take it." He grounds this advice with a personal story from around 1998 when he was in Colombia during a period of conflict, recounting an event where he was chased by men with machetes and one had a broken gun, which led him to run away and take a taxi to the airport. This flight led him to New York, which he found much more energetic and fun than London, and where he got the chance to work on a game for six weeks and write mission statements, which he considers a great experience. He further advises against pursuing vocational degrees, suggesting instead to do something random and become more interested in one's own mind, as this makes the world more interesting and reduces self-annoyance. Houser also contrasts New York's energy with London's, noting that while New York has dangers like sirens and people screaming, the overall energy was a powerful, positive force that led to his career trajectory in entertainment.