Grand Theft Auto mastermind Dan Houser leaves Rockstar Games

Co-writer of the multimillion-selling series to step down in March, leaving questions over long-awaited sixth instalment

Dan Houser, a co-founder of Rockstar Games, is leaving his post in March, according to the developer's parent company Take-Two Interactive. Houser was lead writer on the multimillion-selling Grand Theft Auto series, as well as other Rockstar hits including the acclaimed western adventure Red Dead Redemption.

In a statement to investors on Tuesday, Take-Two stated that Houser, who was creative vice president at the studio, would leave Rockstar on 11 March after taking an "extended break", which began in spring last year. Houser's brother Sam, with whom he co-founded Rockstar Games in 1998, will stay on as company president.