Rockstar's Sam Houser: An Honor to Be Hated by Critics
Rockstar's Sam Houser: An Honor to Be Hated by Critics
August 14, 2008
Develop has a terrific interview with Rockstar Games' co-founder Sam Houser who dishes about the direction of the company and offers his reaction to critics:
I think we probably read most of [the criticism] – if you turn on a computer this stuff reaches you, usually forwarded by an old friend laughing at you.
No [I don't pay attention to critics] – I think [he and brother Dan] are both depressed at how boring we really are and how unexciting even the worse fabrications and exaggerations are when you read about them. None of it seems very rock and roll...
Most of the people who hate us are people it is truly an honor to be hated by – reactionary creeps with strange agendas – and the Daily Mail. Most people who know about modern pop culture know about GTA and like or dislike it on its own merits.
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Posted 02/09/10 at 03:20pm
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:18pm
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:14pm
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:13pm
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:09pm
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:07pm
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:02pm
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Posted 02/09/10 at 02:50pm
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:48pm
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:42pm
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:40pm
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
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Comments
"If everyone likes you, you're doing something wrong"
"If you try to please everybody, someone's not going to be happy" - Dick Cheney
See: God, Jesus
There was 1 vote in Congress against going to war with Japan in late 1941. Even the most obvious and sensible things will have those that are against it.
It was me everyone, I am sorry... haha j/k
They should make a vote for, should religion be ridded from the US and see if they get someone to vote yes, haha.
And if I recall correctly she voted no for entering WWI too. Ahh yes, hee she is: Jeanette Rankin
"There'll always be haters, that's just the way it is. Hater brothas marry hater sistas and they have hater kids." -- Kayne West, "Bring Me Down"
how West acts is what brings him down... just like diddy, you act like an idiot, people are going to talk to you and treat you like an idiot...
I don't think Kayne West is anywhere near "down." In a market where a rap act that sell six figures is doing great, Mr. West sells seven figures. Of course, he obniosly can't help but say what's on his mind and don't ever know when to shut up, but that's almost to be admired, I believe. It's what allows him to say, live on national T.V., "President Bush don't care about Black people." Which, of course, is 100% true and something that needed to be said post-Katrina but which very few would get on live, national T.V. and say.
And it's a different kettle of fish than that prancing idiot, P. Diddy. Or Puff Daddy. Or Puffy. Or whatever he's calling himself nowadays. Coombs says whatever pops into his head. Kanye speaks from his heart.
He's right to a certain degree, but if he'd said 'President Bush don't care about poor people', he'd have been bang on the mark ;)
Not really surprised. Why would someone attempt to please a group of people who are basically wanna-be thought police?
Or those that can't be pleased.
Being loudly displeased about stuff seemingly pleases them.
Good to see he still has a sense of humour about this. Good on him.
Reactionary creeps with strange agendas = The Daily Mail.
Lets' face it, Jack Thompson hates anyone who doesn't think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread, or who dares question his view of the world, so he doesn't really count.
As for the rest, I don't think they so much 'hate' the writers of Violent Games, they are simply frustrated because they thought they would be a nice easy target for censorship, that they could use to scare the public, and it didn't work out as planned, that's why places like the PTC are so vehement nowadays, they can feel the power they were hoping to gain from this slipping through their fingers, and they are desperately trying to scare people about Video Games in the hope of clinging on to it.
I'm glad to see his views on the critics. I would never like to see the critics pull Sam Houser down.
The funny thing is, this sounds like JT's "I don't need any more friends, I have plenty of them (yeah right), all I ask for is more stupid enemies."
Though, in Houser's case, it doesn't sound like a 3 year old trying to rationalize everyone hating him.
-"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
I believe one of the Internet Rules state: The more you hate something, the stronger it gets.
Then again that comment came about during the DESU conflicts that /b/ suffered a few years back, so take it as you wish.
I dont know. I mean not giving into reactionist hype? Not hating or even much caring if there are some that do not like you or your product? Having an adult view of something akin to reality?
Next methinks R* will be hated for not hating.
Though note a fish will live a great deal longer if it does not rise to the bait.
I suspect that ol Jack in the Box himself had a dirty hand in this whole thing. What impeccable timing!
If anything, I'd say Houser's comments are more simply the fact that the more he puts himself out and his work to the public, the more the public will scrutinize him as an individual in relation to his output. It reminds me of something Humphrey Bogart apparently once said, about him being unashamed and unabashed about his fondness for good, strong drink and how it impacts his "image" as an actor:
“People who live in glass houses need ear plugs and a sense of humor,” he said. “When I chose to be an actor I knew I’d be working in the spotlight. I also knew that the higher a monkey climbs the more you can see of his tail. So I keep my sense of humor and go right on leading my life and enjoying it. I wouldn’t trade places with anybody.”
And that's really just it. The simplest way to not be judged by others is to never matter enough to warrant others to pass judgment.