Rockstar Games Faces Renewed Crunch Allegations Amid GTA 6 Development
Former and current Rockstar developers are speaking out about persistent crunch culture. Allegations suggest mandatory overtime, driven by executive visits, is deeply ingrained. These claims surface as the studio faces scrutiny over pay inequity and potential labor law circumvention during GTA 6's development.
Coverage across 3 outlets
Rockstar Games Forced Crunch to Appease Executives, Says Former Red Dead Redemption Designer
A former designer for Rockstar Games, Kris Roberts, has detailed the studio's history of mandatory crunch, particularly during the development of Red Dead Redemption. Roberts explained that work hours expanded to include full Saturdays and encouraged Sundays, often driven by executive visits rather than genuine development needs. He also mentioned that the studio is currently facing accusations of encouraging crunch again, alongside issues with bonus payments and pay inequity.
GTA6 devs accuse Rockstar of crunch and pay inequity, Spanish Ubisoft devs go on strike
Developers at Rockstar Games have accused the studio of crunch, pay inequity, and using legal loopholes to bypass UK labor laws, amidst the development of Grand Theft Auto VI. Meanwhile, Ubisoft Barcelona developers in Spain have gone on strike over restructuring and job losses, demanding better working conditions and job security. A new fund has also been established to financially assist game developers who have lost their jobs.
Rockstar devs allege crunch is so common at the GTA 6 studio that it's "built into" contracts and you…
Rockstar Games developers are alleging that crunch is so common it's built into employment contracts, allowing the company to bypass UK labor regulations. Developers seeking union recognition also claim there is a culture of unequal pay and inconsistent bonuses. As Grand Theft Auto 6 nears its release, crunch reportedly varies by team, with some employees experiencing it continuously.
