Rockstar Games cofounder Dan Houser has offered some insight into why none of Grand Theft Auto V's three playable protagonists are female. In an interview with The Guardian, Houser said the decision came down to narrative design.

　　"The concept of being masculine was so key to this story," Houser said.

　　GTAV's three playable protagonists are Trevor, Michael, and Franklin. The game's online component, GTA Online, will allow players to create a female character. This game mode will launch on October 1 as a free update to the game.

　　Also in the interview, Houser said GTAV boasts more than 100 hours of gameplay and that Rockstar Games spent 100 days in Los Angeles conducting "research trips" for the game.

　　"Out and about, all night long with weird people, strange cops showing us around, a lot of first-hand research," Houser said. "We spoke to FBI agents that have been undercover, experts in the Mafia, street gangsters who know the slang--we even went to see a proper prison. These poor buggers in the middle of the salt flat desert, miles away. It was eye-openingly depressing."

　　GTAV launches in eight days on September 17 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　GTA Online - Ask Gamespot

　　How Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror Games

　　GameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls Genre5 Things You Might Not Know About the Xbox One5 Things You Might Not Know About The PS4 - Ask GameSpotForza 5 - Ask GameSpotNext-Gen Grab Bag - Ask GameSpotPath of Exile - Ask GameSpotDark Souls II - Ask GameSpot

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter