A former Rockstar Games developer has suggested that GTA 6‘s recent delay and the lack of any news are likely in part due to the ongoing union-busting controversy.
Over the past few months, Rockstar has been incredibly quiet when it comes to GTA 6, only giving us the depressing news that it had been delayed for the third time to November 2026. While GTA 6 itself is going through yet another drought, Rockstar itself has been in the news plenty, although it’s been far from good news.
Last month, Rockstar fired more than 30 employees, citing the reason as “gross misconduct” and allegedly leaking details about GTA 6. Rockstar’s reasoning for the layoffs hasn’t gone down well, as the employees argue that it was a clear attempt at union-busting, something that even the UK’s prime minister has paid attention to. As it turns out, that situation could have even played into GTA 6’s recent delay.
Former Rockstar Developer Says Union-Busting Could Have Impacted GTA 6’s Delay
“It’s Not A Good Look For Them At The Moment”
Earlier this week, Esports Insider chatted with former Rockstar Games developer Mike York (who worked as an animator on GTA 5 and GTA Online) about everything the company is currently facing. On the matter of alleged union-busting, York says that all of the controversy could be playing a part in GTA 6’s news drought and the push back from May to November.
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York points out that Rockstar is in “hot turmoil” with everything that’s going on and that the layoffs becoming national news has likely caused “a lot of turmoil inside the company”. All of the controversy surrounding the layoffs has likely contributed to the delay of GTA 6, York believes.
That being said, the layoffs aren’t the sole reason for the pushback, as York notes that it’s “just an issue that’s adding to the complications”. The former Rockstar developer notes that the studio isn’t looking good right now, and that releasing GTA 6 (or even just sharing news for the game) wouldn’t be the right move with the situation still ongoing.
I don’t think that’s the reason why Rockstar aren’t releasing the game, it’s just an issue that’s adding to the complications. It’s not a good look for them at the moment and it would not be a good look for them to release GTA 6 while this is still going on. – Mike York
Overall, York thinks that a union should have been formed at Rockstar Games a long time ago, and that it’s a good thing for everyone that one was being set up. It’s just a shame that it’s ended up becoming such a mark on both Rockstar and GTA 6.
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