Rockstar has made a decisive move regarding the development of GTA 6, summoning its developers back to the office full-time as the highly anticipated sequel enters its final phase of production.
According to an email circulated by Rockstar’s Head of Publishing, Jenn Kolbe, and reported by Bloomberg, the directive for GTA 6 developers to resume in-office work from April onward is motivated by concerns of both productivity and security.
The latter aspect is notably influenced by a significant leak in September 2022, which prematurely disseminated over 90 videos and images related to GTA 6, costing Rockstar a hefty $5 million, substantial staff hours, and leading to the incarceration of the hacker involved. Furthermore, the recent leak of the GTA 6 trailer, a day before its official December unveiling, underscores the urgency for heightened security measures.
Kolbe emphasized in the email that Rockstar has discerned “tangible benefits” associated with in-office collaboration. She stated, “Making these changes now puts us in the best position to deliver the next Grand Theft Auto at the level of quality and polish we know it requires, along with a publishing roadmap that matches the scale and ambition of the game.”
However, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who brought this development to light, reports that Rockstar employees are less than enthusiastic about this decision.
The official announcement of GTA 6 arrived in November, unveiling a targeted release window of 2025 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Set in the iconic Vice City, the game promises to push the boundaries of open-world gaming, inviting players to immerse themselves in its sun-soaked streets once again.
