By Speculation is rife that the return-to-office mandates at Rockstar Games could potentially delay the release of “Grand Theft Auto 6.”
In December, Rockstar Games made headlines by announcing the release of “GTA 6” in 2025. The anticipation surrounding the game was palpable, with its initial trailer setting records on YouTube for views garnered by a non-music video release.
However, Take Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, disclosed during a recent earnings call its projection of $7 billion in revenue for Fiscal Year 2025. Despite this optimistic outlook, the revelation of a distant release date for “GTA 6” caused Take Two’s stock prices to plummet by as much as 7% in December.
Progress Slowdown and Office Mandate
Recent reports from Kotaku suggest that development progress on “GTA 6” may be decelerating, potentially leading to a delay in the game’s release until 2026. This news coincides with rumors of an impending mandate from Rockstar for employees to return to the office on a full-time basis, as initially reported by Bloomberg in February. According to Bloomberg, remote employees are expected to transition back to office work starting in April, sparking conjecture that Rockstar’s productivity might be lagging behind schedule.
Jenn Kolbe, Rockstar’s head of publishing, reportedly cited productivity and security concerns as the primary reasons for the return-to-office mandate in an email to staff, as per Bloomberg’s report. Security concerns are particularly pertinent for Rockstar, given past leaks of “GTA 6” footage, including unauthorized clips shared on TikTok ahead of the game’s official trailer release.
Employee Concerns and “Quiet Layoffs”
Some Rockstar employees expressed concerns over the potential ramifications of the office mandate. Reports suggest that employees may no longer be permitted to use work communication tools like Slack from home, leading to fears of logistical challenges for remote workers. There are apprehensions that this move could be a precursor to what some employees perceive as “quiet layoffs,” where unfavorable working conditions prompt voluntary resignations.
“Quiet firing,” a term used to describe subtle tactics aimed at making an employee’s role less appealing, is a growing concern among Rockstar staff. Signs of “quiet firing” may include a lack of clear expectations, feedback, support, career advancement opportunities, and acknowledgment from managers.
Outlook for “GTA 6” Release
Despite the reported slowdown in development, sources close to the game maintain that Rockstar is still targeting a Spring 2025 release for “GTA 6.” However, the possibility of a later release in 2025 or even a fallback plan for 2026 cannot be discounted.
Rockstar Games did not respond immediately to requests for comment from Business Insider, leaving fans and industry observers eagerly awaiting further updates on the fate of “Grand Theft Auto 6.”