Additional Rockstar Games employees have spoken out about the current temperature inside the company as it wriggles with GTA VI’s final year of development. Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered several stories coming from within Rockstar about how the mood has soured and progress is stalling. The final stages of the most anticipated game of all time are underway and they are “seeking perfection” but at what cost?
What has been happening?
It all began in February when leadership at Rockstar Games told staff they must work from the office five days a week starting in April. In the company wide email, Head of Publishing Jenn Kolbe stated there were security concerns and reduction in productivity on Grand Theft Auto VI.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier who originally reported this email had been sent out said “Employees are not thrilled” with this change. Why would they be? Many developers will not live close to a Rockstar Games studio and will now be forced to commute at length each day. Since then, disgruntled team members have spilled some of the bad feelings they’ve had…
The Bloomberg report was promptly followed by a union’s reaction to the employee unhappiness. The Independent Works Union Of Great Britain issued a statement that called the move “reckless decision making”. Developers at Rockstar in the UK submitted their grievances on the policy change with the union.
Rockstar is snatching away that lifeline without a second thought for the workers who’ll be impacted most. After so many broken promises we now fear management may even be paving the way for a return to toxic ‘crunch’ practices. Senior leadership need to rethink their reckless decision making and engage with their staff to find an arrangement that works for everyone.”
Anonymous Rockstar Games developer
We also learned from Rockstar insider Tez2 that a return to office had been in place, informally, for a little while already. Plus, management had become more strict over the past year. This caused some developers to quit Rockstar Games.
On Friday night, Kotaku released a report using accounts from sources close to Rockstar Games. They noted GTA VI is still targeting Spring 2025 but a slip to Fall 2025 or even 2026 is becoming more likely. This is due to development “falling behind”. The recent status of the game has left some within Rockstar’s highest ranks worried about missing early 2025.
More Rockstar Games staff voice their concerns
Gaming news outlet Aftermath have also put out a report after speaking with Rockstar Games employees. According to the site, two current Rockstar Games staffers came forward to share information about what is happening within the studio’s virtual walls.
One of the sources admits the security reason given for a return to office is “easier to take in good faith” following the string of major leaks in the past. Another say they’ve heard about some devs receiving reprimands for sharing their thoughts on the plan to work at the office full time.
We are just waiting for more information from management about how the hell this is going to work
Anonymous Rockstar Games developer
Some information has been passed around and plans include to reduce the access developers will have outside of the physical offices. A source speaking with Aftermath claim they’ll no longer be able to communicate or remote access into Rockstar’s systems when at their home. Staff dispute working from home has made things worse and are concerned tough crunch is coming.
Some do believe this change will backfire and actually reduce productivity rather than improve it like Rockstar Games management believe. There is a feeling more team members could have health impacts or resign from the company over it.
Additional information from sources
An interesting tidbit is that GTA VI’s PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions have been “developed almost entirely remotely”. Those working on the project say this is a reason why they don’t need to be at the studio’s real location. At this moment in time, the game will launch only on console despite games having to have a PC build for development. As on par with previous titles from Rockstar, a PC version may come a year or so after its console counterparts.
Losing key people in teams would be very, very bad
Anonymous Rockstar Games developer
We’d highly recommend reading the full article from Aftermath and hearing the extended accounts from these Rockstar Games developers. The finish line of this marathon is approaching but there’s some turbulence to overcome.
Source: Aftermath. To keep up to date with every GTA 6 news update, make sure to check back to RockstarINTEL and sign up to our newsletter for a weekly round-up of all things Rockstar Games.
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9 Comments
I remember when employers were the ones who decided when and where their employees work. Seems like we’ve got a case of the inmates running the asylum at Rockstar
You are also a bootlicker
100% agree
Oh be quiet. Go to the office and work 5 days. You people knew that you were going to go back at some point, so if you moved during the pandemic that’s on you.
Don’t want to go into the office? Then lose your job and go work at some pointless place.
You are a total bootlicker
Shut yo bitch ass up
Work 5 days a week? Oh my god! How awful!! Meanwhile, the rest of society works 5 days a week. Where can I sign up to join this crew? If people are unwilling to work 5 days a week, then I’ll take their job!
Referred to as “constructive dismissal” or “constructive discharge.” This occurs when an employer creates an intolerable work environment or imposes changes that are so unfavorable to an employee that the employee feels compelled to resign. These changes can include significant alterations to job duties, pay cuts, or excessively strict work policies. The aim of constructive dismissal is usually to encourage employees to quit voluntarily, thus avoiding the need for layoffs and the potential legal or financial repercussions that can come with them.
Sounds like Rockstar needs to fire everyone and start over on employees. What a lazy group of people.