Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games business and news from across the web.
Rockstar UK employees say the GTA 6 developer's still plagued by gender pay gaps, crunch, and vague bonuses which make them 'as pliable as possible to their boss's whims'Employees at Rockstar Games' UK studios report ongoing issues with gender pay gaps, opaque bonus structures, and normalized crunch, despite the studio's work on Grand Theft Auto 6. Union members anonymously shared concerns about a lack of transparency and inconsistent compensation policies, with efforts made to inform staff about their rights regarding working hours.
Next Xbox, Project Helix, Will Reportedly Not Have a Disc DriveReports indicate the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will be a discless model, eliminating support for physical media. This follows PlayStation's announcement of ending physical disc production in 2028 and Rockstar Games' confirmation of no disc version for Grand Theft Auto VI. The move raises significant concerns for game preservation and the physical game market, with figures like Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation highlighting the challenges for archiving digital-only content.
Union raises concerns over gender pay gaps, bonus management, and crunch at RockstarMembers of the Rockstar Game Workers Union have voiced concerns about potential gender pay gaps, inconsistent bonus management, and contractual overtime requirements that facilitate crunch. The union is seeking voluntary recognition from Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, which stated it fosters a culture of teamwork and kindness and values open dialogue. Employees highlighted issues with the discretionary and often subjective bonus system, a widening gender pay gap, and contract clauses that opt employees out of UK Working Time Regulations, potentially leading to excessive overtime.
Where to pre-order GTA 6 in Australia: bundles, discounts, and how to find pre-load friendly delivery timesPre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 are now available in Australia for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with pre-load beginning November 12 ahead of the November 19 release. Both Standard and Ultimate Editions are offered, with the Ultimate Edition exclusively available digitally. Retailers like Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, and EB Games are listed as options, with some offering bundles. Pre-ordering grants access to the Vintage Vice City Pack, with the Ultimate Edition including additional in-game content.
PlayStation Announcing the End of Physical Game Releases Resulted in Rise in Stock PricesSony Interactive Entertainment announced it will cease physical game releases for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028, a move that has coincided with a rise in its stock price. This transition aligns with market trends favoring digital purchases and the popularity of disc-less consoles like the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Analysts suggest this decision will also influence future console designs, potentially reducing manufacturing costs for the PlayStation 6.
Sony’s digital-only plans are awful and the PS5 refund system is the worst partSony's plan to transition to digital-only PlayStation 5 games is criticized for eliminating game ownership and exacerbating its restrictive refund policy. The article argues this move, coordinated with titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, prioritizes publisher profits over consumer rights and may alienate players.
This Week In Games Was Bad, But Next Week May Be WorseThe gaming industry experienced a particularly bleak week with multiple significant layoffs, studio closures, and price increases. Microsoft's Xbox division saw widespread job cuts, while Sony announced plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028. These events, coupled with delays and the ongoing impact of AI discussions, paint a grim picture for the industry's immediate future.- Why Sony Is Killing Disc-Based PlayStation Games And The Implications For PS6 And BeyondSony will cease releasing PlayStation games on physical discs starting in 2028, a move industry expert Piers Harding-Rolls suggests will likely delay the PlayStation 6's launch until at least that year and will result in a disc-less base model. This transition to all-digital is driven by shifting consumer preferences towards digital downloads, which now account for 80% of PlayStation game sales, and aims to streamline retail and improve profit margins by reducing costs associated with disc manufacturing and physical distribution.
In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games — mere days after GTA 6's…Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that PlayStation will cease releasing new games on physical discs starting January 2028, citing a shift in consumer preference towards digital media. This decision, which impacts the concept of physical game ownership, comes shortly after Rockstar Games' move to digital-only releases for Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders and follows PlayStation's recent removal of purchased digital movies from user libraries.
Sony announces an end to the PS3 and Vita digital storesSony announced it will be closing the digital stores for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita globally in July 2027, with some regions seeing closures later this year. While previously reversed due to fan backlash in 2021, the company cites the need to evolve commerce systems and focus resources on modern platforms. Games already purchased will remain downloadable.
GTA 6 devs have to opt-out of crunch, claim Rockstar North insiders, because it's baked into their contractsSources within Rockstar North claim that crunch is effectively built into employee contracts for Grand Theft Auto 6, with developers needing to opt-out of working hour regulations. Insiders also allege issues with pay gaps, bonuses used for compliance, and a lack of transparency in career progression. Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, stated they strive to provide world-class work environments and are open to dialogue with the union.
GTA 6 studio Rockstar "will arrange to meet" union reps following devs' request for recognition, assuring it gives teams "world-class work environments" amid demands for "fairer crunch practices"Rockstar Games has stated it will meet with union representatives following a request for official recognition from its UK developers. The developers are seeking pay transparency, fairer crunch practices, and better flexible working arrangements. This comes after accusations of union-busting in 2025 and an ongoing dispute with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain.
UK workers request voluntary union recognition at RockstarRockstar Games employees in the UK, organized as the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU) and affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), have formally requested voluntary union recognition. This move aims to establish collective bargaining rights concerning pay transparency, flexible working, and overtime. The request follows ongoing legal disputes over alleged unfair dismissals and accusations of union busting by Rockstar, which the company denies. If recognized, RGWU would make Rockstar the second UK developer with a union.
GTA 6 developer Rockstar accused of enforcing crunch, weaponising bonus payments, and ignoring a widening gender pay gapRockstar Games is facing new allegations from employees regarding crunch culture, a widening gender pay gap, and the weaponization of bonus payments, particularly concerning the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. These claims emerge as employees pursue union recognition, with Take-Two Interactive stating they will engage in dialogue with the union.
Rockstar accused of ignoring pay inequity, mandating crunch, and weaponizing bonusesMultiple Rockstar Games developers, speaking anonymously through the Rockstar Game Workers Union, have accused the company of failing to address gender-based pay inequity, mandating crunch, and using bonuses to manipulate employees. The developers claim that compensation is inconsistent and often falls below market rates, with initiatives to address pay gaps being scrapped. The union is seeking voluntary recognition and has highlighted that crunch is normalized through UK worker contracts, with employees opting out of regulations.
Games Inbox: Will there be a definitive PS6 version of GTA 6?Readers discuss the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to be released on the PlayStation 6, speculating on performance and exclusivity deals with Sony and Rockstar Games. Other topics include the possibility of a Dead Rising 2 Deluxe Remaster, the future of Nintendo Switch 2's lineup, and the financial implications of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.- PlayStation Games Will Go Fully Digital From January 2028 OnwardsSony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation 5 games will transition to a fully digital-only format starting January 2028. This decision, driven by changing consumer preferences and industry trends, means physical disc releases will cease, with retail copies becoming codes sold in boxes. This move aligns with the growing popularity of digital distribution and may indicate future PlayStation consoles will omit disc drives entirely.
Mario Kart World Gets Two New Knockout Tour Courses, Photo Mode Stickers in Latest UpdateNintendo has released update version 1.7.0 for Mario Kart World, adding two new Knockout Tour courses, Drill Rally and Boomerang Rally, and new stickers for Photo Mode. The game, a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, was released in June 2025 and has sold over 14 million copies. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida commented on the game's $80 price tag, noting its value proposition.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Studio Accused of Encouraging Crunch, Ignoring Pay Inequity – RumorMembers of the Rockstar Game Workers Union have accused Rockstar Games of encouraging crunch, ignoring pay inequity, and withholding bonuses. The union also highlighted a lack of transparency in pay structures and career progression. Employees have been informed they can opt out of the UK's Working Time Regulations, which Rockstar Games has incorporated into employment contracts to facilitate overtime.
Rockstar Games Employees Request Voluntary Recognition of UnionEmployees at Rockstar Games have requested voluntary recognition of the IWGB union, following the formation of the Rockstar Game Workers Union. If recognized, Rockstar Games would be the second UK studio to unionize, potentially leading to improved worker protections and rights through collective bargaining. The company stated it will engage in open dialogue regarding the union's recognition.