GTA 6 has entered the final stages of production. However, this has come along with some Rockstar Games developers unhappy with changes made to the how work will be done.
Rockstar send out email ahead of finishing GTA VI
In a new report by Bloomberg (who previously correctly leaked the game’s setting and content), Rockstar Games have requested its developers to return to the office five days a week from April this year.
This information is coming from a source within Rockstar who received what appears to be a company-wide email from the company’s Head of Publishing Jenn Kolbe. Productivity and security reasons were cited by Kolbe for Rockstar’s change in heart. Adding to that, Rockstar apparently saw “tangible benefits” from working in an office and below is a direct quote from the email sent out to employees:
“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”
Head of Publishing of Rockstar Games, Jenn Kolbe
As you can see, Rockstar really do want to make sure GTA VI reaches the standard fans are expecting in both feature-set and quality assurance. Given the scope of the game, this is a mammoth undertaking.
Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two Interactive recently claimed “We’re seeking perfection” when it comes to Grand Theft Auto VI. This is a high and some would argue an unsustainable standard.
Rockstar Games employees unhappy with changes
Rockstar issuing this request to its developers brings an end to the hybrid home/office work system that has been in place for some time now. This has been something employees have been happy with but the recent change is said to have made some unhappy.
The writer of the Bloomberg article, Jason Schreier, noted in a Tweet that “Employees are not thrilled” with this development.
Rockstar devs quit over changes
In addition to this, reputable Rockstar insider Tez2 has revealed that the return to office request has actually been in effect informally for a few months now. The actual change will come into effect as of April.
Plus, management have become more strict over the past 12 months. Due to such change in approach, developer’s have quit working on GTA VI and Rockstar as a whole. Apparently, these developers “raised some good arguments and presented objective data against those productivity reasons” but this has not changed a thing.
Where does this leave GTA VI?
Many fans have speculated GTA VI will release towards the end of 2025. However, if GTA VI’s final stages take around a year from now, there might be a slither of a chance it comes out in Spring 2025.
Given how complex this game is and scale, anything can go wrong and polish might take longer than expected. We hope that the developers won’t be crunching as they did on GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Does this also mean a second trailer is closer than fans think? We delve into Rockstar’s usual patterns for trailers on their blockbuster games here.
In other GTA VI related news, analysts are predicting a PS5 Pro release this holiday. This will be done in time for Rockstar to enhance GTA VI for the improved console. Learn more about that story here.
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