Rockstar North
Rockstar North business and news from across the web.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Studio Boss Acknowledges Issues, Says Players Still Enjoyed ItThomas Williamson, CEO of Grove Street Games, acknowledged the widespread criticism and bugs affecting Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition. While admitting the release had issues, he stated internal metrics showed many players enjoyed the remastered titles. Williamson also suggested that a truly perfect redux would require direct involvement from Rockstar Games.
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.
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.
Oxygen Levels, Shoe Types, Cigarette Butts: GTA 6's Most Unhinged Fan Is Investigating RockstarA dedicated fan is employing unconventional methods, including monitoring oxygen levels, car values, and cigarette butt counts outside Rockstar North's offices, in an attempt to predict the release of the next Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer. The fan's elaborate investigation aims to gauge employee activity and stress levels as indicators for new marketing material.
GTA 6 YouTuber storms Rockstar offices and is politely told to go awayA YouTuber named ÜberGaming filmed himself entering the Rockstar North offices in Edinburgh, reportedly to request a Turkish localization for Grand Theft Auto 6. He was asked to leave shortly after entering, and while police were allegedly called, they only performed an identity check. The incident highlights the intense anticipation for the game.
"We're determined to win justice for the 31 fired workers" - Rockstar Games workers publicly launch union, as legal battle with the GTA 6 maker rages onWorkers at Rockstar Games have publicly launched the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). This move follows the dismissal of 31 employees in October, which the union and others have labeled as union busting, leading to protests and legal action. The RGWU is also advocating for pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch culture.
Another major GTA Online RP server struck down "at Take-Two's request" as Rockstar parent prepares for…Take-Two Interactive, through Rockstar Games, has issued a cease and desist to the developers of the Rage:MP platform, a popular Grand Theft Auto V roleplaying server. This action, requested by Take-Two, mandates Rage:MP to begin a structured shutdown by August 31, directing server owners to migrate to FiveM, which is the only authorized multiplayer modding platform. This move is seen as part of Take-Two's efforts to consolidate control over unofficial multiplayer experiences ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's release.
Former Scottish politician snapped up GTA 5, FIFA, and more as part of $500,000 embezzlementFormer Scottish politician Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $500,000 from the Scottish Nationalist Party. His spending spree included luxury items, multiple consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo 3DS, and video games such as Grand Theft Auto 5 and various FIFA titles.
Sure, a new GTA 6 trailer would be nice, but it doesn't have a hope of matching the cultural significance of GTA 4's second revealWhile a new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer is anticipated, it is unlikely to match the cultural impact of Grand Theft Auto 4's second trailer. The article highlights how the GTA 4 trailer's reveal of the 'Rickroll' meme had a lasting internet significance that transcends typical game marketing.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Pre-order Date Seemingly LeakedLeaked Best Buy emails suggest Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders will begin on May 18, indicating the game is on track for its November 19 release date. Take-Two Interactive confirmed marketing will start this summer, and CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the release date, denying delay rumors. Rockstar North's development costs for the game may have exceeded $2 billion.
GTA 6 Wait Has Fans Flooding Rockstar With Bad Google ReviewsFrustrated fans are expressing their impatience for Grand Theft Auto 6 details by leaving negative reviews for Rockstar North on Google Maps. While awaiting new information, some fans are analyzing cafe foot traffic near the studio and looking towards Take-Two's upcoming investment briefing for potential trailer releases. Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
MPs accuse GTA 6 developer Rockstar of obstructing legal processes, as battle over 'union-busting' dismissals continuesSeveral Scottish Labour Members of Parliament have accused Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games of obstructing legal processes and engaging in union-busting following the dismissal of staff. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has filed a legal claim, alleging Rockstar has failed to cooperate with disclosure requests and denied workers their right to appeal. Rockstar Games is also preparing for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Take-Two CEO Says Grand Theft Auto 6 Won’t Have Real-Life BrandsTake-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not feature real-world brands or product placement to maintain the integrity of the fictional world. He believes players can discern authenticity and that using made-up brands keeps the game pure. Development costs for Grand Theft Auto 6 have reportedly reached $2.11 billion.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Price Will Depend on What Consumers Want to Pay, Says Take-Two CEOTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the pricing strategy for Grand Theft Auto 6, emphasizing that consumers pay for value and that games have become cheaper when adjusted for inflation. He also highlighted the immense development costs, potentially exceeding $2 billion, and the focus on creating a spectacular entertainment experience. The game is slated for release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
GTA V Players Turn Trevor Spawns Into Hilarious Meme ContentGrand Theft Auto V players have turned Trevor Phillips' unpredictable spawn locations into a viral meme. The trend highlights how the game's mechanics and Trevor's chaotic character create unexpected comedic moments, resonating particularly with British players due to references like Scunthorpe. This phenomenon underscores the enduring impact of emergent gameplay and community-driven humor on a game's longevity.- Rockstar Games Has Reportedly Been Hacked AgainRockstar Games has reportedly been targeted by a new hacker group named ShinyHunters, who are demanding a ransom by April 14 or threatening to leak stolen data. The group claims to have accessed financial data, employee contracts, and marketing timelines through the SaaS platform Anodot. This alleged breach follows a 2022 incident where early development footage of Grand Theft Auto 6 was leaked.
A character model datamined from Grand Theft Auto 5's source code 'could actually be Agent's protagonist', according to online sleuthA dataminer has reportedly found a character model within Grand Theft Auto 5's source code that may belong to Rockstar Games' cancelled title, Agent. The model, found in a folder named 'Jimmy' (Agent's codename) and dated to June 2009, shows similarities to Grand Theft Auto 4's protagonist, Niko Bellic, and was likely developed at Rockstar North.
Fan discovers what appears to be assets for Rockstar's canceled PS3 game, Agent, within GTA 5's leaked source code, including an early look at the spy game's main characterDataminers have discovered character assets for Rockstar Games' canceled PlayStation 3 title, Agent, within the leaked source code of Grand Theft Auto 5. The findings suggest the protagonist model is a remix of Grand Theft Auto 4's Niko Bellic and aligns with previously leaked screenshots from the unreleased spy game.
Is Grand Theft Auto 6 the Most Expensive Game Ever Made?Reports based on UK Companies House filings suggest that Grand Theft Auto 6's development costs, solely for employee wages, could reach approximately $2.1 billion by March 2025. This figure, if accurate, would make it the most expensive game ever made, surpassing titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Citizen. The article discusses Rockstar's development philosophy of prioritizing creative freedom and extensive polishing, even at immense financial cost, and speculates on the game's eventual retail price and profitability.
Take-Two’s Head of AI Departs, Even Though Its CEO Was “Very Enthusiastic” About the TechnologyTake-Two Interactive's Head of Artificial Intelligence, Luke Dicken, and his team have departed the company, despite CEO Strauss Zelnick's stated enthusiasm for AI in game development. While Zelnick believes AI tools can drive efficiencies, he also maintains they cannot create great entertainment properties on their own. The departure comes as Take-Two continues development on Grand Theft Auto 6, which is reportedly being handcrafted by Rockstar North.