Update: Shortly after this GTA 6 story went viral on social media, influential members of the Rockstar Games community raised valid questions about the accuracy of the report. The well-known insider and content creator videotech (@videotech) warned that the situation is being "disproportionately exaggerated" by several pages.
He highlighted a crucial point for our analysis: Glassdoor does not have a rigorous verification process. Literally anyone can create an account on the platform and post a fake review while posing as an employee. Videotech also pointed out that, while India does indeed have weaker labor protections, a single anonymous review does not serve as definitive proof that the studio is in crunch mode.
Original: The release of GTA 6 (Grand Theft Auto VI) is scheduled for November, and as the date approaches, the pressure behind the scenes at Rockstar Games seems to be reaching critical levels.
You can check out more GTA 6 content in the video from our partner SanInPlay:
The much-criticized “crunch”—an industry practice where developers are subjected to extreme workloads to meet deadlines—has once again become a topic of conversation involving Rockstar and now GTA 6.
A new anonymous review posted on Glassdoor by a QA (Quality Assurance) Analyst exposed the difficult working conditions the team has been facing recently to deliver the game on time.
The employee, who works at the studio in Bengaluru (India), noted that, despite the pride of working on the "world’s most anticipated entertainment project," the workload has become unrealistic.
Unrealistic goals for GTA 6 and the impact on the mental health of Rockstar Games employees
In the review, the developer listed a series of negative points that paint a concerning picture of exhaustion within the studio over the past month:
- Crushing deadlines: Management is demanding that employees complete tasks that would normally take 5 to 6 months in just 2 to 3 months.
- Abusive work hours: The work schedule has been frantic, with demands for unpaid overtime. Some colleagues are having to work until 3 a.m. immediately after finishing their morning shifts.
- Mental health at risk: The employee reported that the past few weeks have taken a heavy toll on their mental health and made an appeal to management: “Please be considerate of us; we’re human too.”
- Lack of support: According to the report, complaining to the heads of department (HODs) has been futile.
The price of the November launch
These reports make it very clear that Rockstar Games has put the pedal to the metal. The company is making a colossal effort (and exacting a heavy toll on its employees) to ensure that GTA 6 hits the shelves in November, avoiding a delay at all costs.
The crunch with Red Dead Redemption 2
Although community hype is sky-high, it’s impossible not to sympathize with the developers.
Rockstar had already promised to improve its work culture following Jason Schreier’s harsh criticism of crunch during the development of Red Dead Redemption 2, but in the final stretch of the most important game of the decade, it seems that old habits are returning.
Check out:
- BestBuy accidentally reveals GTA 6 pre-order date
- BestBuy accidentally reveals GTA 6 pre-order date
- Exclusive: Rockstar Games has just uploaded GTA 6 files to its servers; see our investigation
- For GTA 6? Vacancies suggest DLCs and Season Passes in Rockstar Games’ future
- GTA 6 without postponements? New Rockstar position focuses on TV and movie trailers
Do you like the Viciados Portal? We count on your support! To receive updates, follow us on Google News, Google Discover, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Join the discussion on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram!
Source: GTAVI_Countdown
