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Rockstar Games has overhauled its internal processes during the development of Grand Theft Auto 6 to prevent the extreme labor practices documented during the creation of Red Dead Redemption 2. Jennifer Kolbe, head of publishing, stated that the studio aimed to avoid repeating the 100-hour work weeks previously reported by staff.
To mitigate crunch, the studio nearly doubled its workforce from approximately 2400 employees in 2018 to over 4700 by 2026. Management introduced more rigorous planning, stricter monitoring, and compensation for overtime through additional pay or time off. While Kolbe acknowledges that some staff may have still experienced long hours, she maintains the situation is significantly improved compared to past projects.
Despite these improvements, the company’s remote work policy remains a point of frustration. Following a major 2022 leak, Rockstar mandated full-time office attendance in 2024 to enhance security. Some employees argue this shift has been ineffective, citing recent Cyberleak incidents, though Kolbe remains skeptical about returning to a hybrid model after the game's release.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A disc-less physical edition will be available one week earlier, coinciding with the start of pre-downloads on digital storefronts.
