There’s no question that GTA V will be a sales success, but it’s hard to know why Rockstar would choose to take on so many challenges all at once. Now, it seems they’re not shy about explaining their motivations.

For those who missed the full information extravaganza earlier this week, be sure to catch yourself up, and take in the massive gallery of screenshots released. Players will have the chance to mix and match gameplay experiences along with one of the three main characters at a time, in a new form of mission design that will be difficult to grasp until it’s shown in greater detail. But as promising as the premise seems, the developers are taking a chance going so far off the beaten path.

What was it that convinced Rockstar to make one of the boldest -and riskiest - decisions possible for their guaranteed blockbuster? In an interview with Guardian, co-writer and Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser explains:

A simple reasoning, but one which opened the door to all kinds of new problems and challenges. The development team thinks they’re up to the task, but only when the game releases will fans be able to judge if the lessons of GTA IV’s expansions (and Red Dead Redemption) truly mark a maturation in the way Rockstar tells stories.

The potential is present, given the first father and husband protagonist in the GTA series. Match that with a character like Trevor, a veteran who would rarely be the type of character to lead a GTA game, and you’ve got an interesting mix. Even if Michael (narrating the first trailer revealing the new Los Santos) and Franklin seem like more predictable leads, Houser hints that their characters are still capable of surprising players:

It seems that Rockstar isn’t through detailing their next game, so expect to hear plenty more over the coming weeks. What are your thoughts on the new characters and missions design? Are you most interested in the ways GTA V will resemble previous games, or the new ground it will be breaking?

Either way, Rockstar has shown that Grand Theft Auto can still be one of the most inventive and original franchises around. That in itself will be enough to shock skeptics.

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Grand Theft Auto V releases in the Spring of 2013 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. A PC and Wii U release has yet to be announced.

Source: Guardian