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GTA 6 hype has reached 'unprecedented' levels as one company schedules a temporary 'operational pause' for its release — and I can't tell if it's a joke
An automotive company, Burger Motorsports, has announced a temporary operational pause on November 19, 2026, the release date of Grand Theft Auto 6, due to employees taking time off. This move highlights the unprecedented hype surrounding the game, with the company humorously noting that services may be delayed until employees "return to reality" after exploring the game. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have reaffirmed the November 19 launch date.
So it begins – GTA 6 already has companies taking the day off for Rockstar's big release as "several" employees "will be unavailable, unreachable, and/or 'in Vice City'"
Burger Motorsports, an automotive company, has announced a company-wide closure on November 19, 2026, due to the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The company cited potential impacts on employee availability and described the game's launch as an "unprecedented cultural event."
This Business Is Observing a Day Off for GTA 6 Launch, and It Won't Be the Only One
Burger Motorsports, a US-based retailer, will be closing for the day on November 19, 2026, to allow employees to play Grand Theft Auto 6. The company cited numerous employee requests for time off as the reason for this "company-wide operational pause." It is speculated that other businesses may follow suit due to the anticipated impact of the game's release.
UK government pays civil servants to play GTA Online for research purposes
UK civil servants are being paid to play Grand Theft Auto Online as part of a government research experiment by the Department for Education's Policy Lab. The initiative aims to understand public 'lived experience' by observing players and interacting with them, though it has faced criticism for wasting taxpayer money. The experiment is ongoing despite political opposition and the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
UK employment tribunal denies Rockstar's request to have 'blacklisting' claims removed from upcoming trial
A UK employment tribunal has denied Rockstar Games' request to remove 'blacklisting' allegations from an upcoming trial brought by fired workers represented by the IWGB Game Workers union. The trial, set to begin September 10, will proceed with these claims, which stem from the dismissal of 34 staff in the UK and Canada for alleged gross misconduct. The IWGB accuses Rockstar of union-busting, while Rockstar claims confidential information was leaked.
Evening Reading - June 17, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming news items including the launch of Pokemon Champions on mobile, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions' early access, and Epic Games' stance on generative AI in Unreal Engine 6. It also notes the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 5's first new heist in years and the porting of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 to PlayStation consoles.
Roadmaps and Plans
Rockstar Games is adding a new heist to Grand Theft Auto Online in July. Separately, a new idea for Unreal Engine 6 suggests that Fortnite skins could be usable across other Unreal Engine games and vice versa.
Evening Legal Briefs
A UK tribunal has allowed former Rockstar Games employees to proceed with their union busting allegations in court. This ruling represents a legal setback for the company regarding its labor practices.
Games Inbox: Do you need to buy a PS5 Pro to play GTA 6?
A reader expresses concern about how Grand Theft Auto 6 will perform on a standard PlayStation 5, speculating that a PlayStation 5 Pro might be necessary. The article also touches on industry topics like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Capcom's success, and the merits of game remakes versus new titles.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Website Updated With New Fly-By Video of Vice City
Rockstar Games has updated the official Grand Theft Auto 6 website with a new aerial video showcasing Vice City at sunset. The update also confirms that pre-orders will begin later this month for the game, which is set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on November 19th. The game will feature two protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, and will explore a criminal conspiracy across the state of Leonida.
Rockstar Faces A Fresh Setback In Its Union-Busting Case
A UK employment tribunal has ruled that the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain can proceed with allegations of blacklisting against Rockstar Games. The case, which began last November, involves accusations that Rockstar discriminated against employees suspected of attempting to form a union, leading to the dismissal of 34 workers. The trial is scheduled for September 10, 2026.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Pre-Orders to Start on June 25th, Cover Art Revealed
Rockstar Games announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 will begin on June 25th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The official cover art has also been revealed, featuring the franchise's traditional panel design. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed marketing will ramp up this summer, while also addressing the console-first release strategy and the lack of a PC version announcement.
The UK government has reportedly been paying employees to play GTA Online with random people to understand their…
The UK's Department for Education reportedly paid employees to play Grand Theft Auto Online with random players as part of a taxpayer-funded research program. The initiative, conducted by Policy Lab, aimed to gain insights into people's lived experiences within the game. The project has drawn criticism from opposition parties regarding the use of public funds.
Rockstar faces legal setback as UK tribunal allows its fired workers to bring every one of their union busting…
A UK employment tribunal has ruled against Rockstar Games, allowing fired union members to proceed with their claims of union busting and blacklisting. The final trial is set to begin in September 2025, concerning the dismissal of 31 workers in October 2025. This legal setback for Rockstar comes as the studio faces scrutiny from employees, unions, and even Parliament over its labor practices.
Digital versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 on PS4 and Xbox One are now eligible for free upgrades
Rockstar Games announced that digital versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can now be upgraded to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions at no additional cost. This offer applies to PC users as well, allowing them to upgrade to the Enhanced version for free. New content, including The Kortz Center Heist, is also coming to GTA Online in July.
PS5 Players Surprised With Free Upgrade of the Most Popular PS4 Game
Rockstar Games is offering a free upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for owners of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions. This allows players to experience the game on current-generation consoles and access the latest version of GTA Online. Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for release on November 19, 2026.
Rockstar will offer free GTA 5 upgrades from older console and PC versions
Rockstar Games is offering free upgrades for Grand Theft Auto V from older console and PC versions. This news comes as a smaller update for fans awaiting Grand Theft Auto VI.
Fired Rockstar developers can bring blacklisting claims against the GTA 6 developer, UK tribunal rules as final trial looms
An employment tribunal in the UK has ruled that fired Rockstar Games employees can pursue blacklisting claims against the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer. The workers were dismissed last year for allegedly leaking confidential information, which the IWGB Game Workers Union claims was union busting. The tribunal's decision allows these allegations to be heard in a full trial, with a final hearing scheduled from September 10th to October 15th.
Morning Consolidation
Rockstar Games is offering free current-generation upgrades for Grand Theft Auto 5 to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners. Separately, some Xbox Series X owners are still experiencing issues with backward compatibility for certain 360 games.
Free GTA 5 current gen upgrade for PS4 and Xbox One players coming this week
Rockstar Games is offering a free upgrade for Grand Theft Auto 5 to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for players who own the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, starting June 18, 2026. This offer applies to digital copies on Xbox One and all versions on PlayStation 4 and PC. The enhanced version includes graphical improvements and new features, with progress migration also supported.
