The whole "we got this before GTA VI" narrative now has a new twist: we've got the stress before Grand Theft Auto VI drops, as an anonymous employee of Rockstar Games is already speaking out about intense working hours and conditions even before the game hits the shelves.
With GTA VI racing toward its launch date, an eye-catching Glassdoor review posted on May 1 from Rockstar Games' Bengaluru office has surfaced, offering a rare glimpse into what might be happening behind closed doors.
It also points to growing mental health concerns as the project nears completion. This raises a bigger question: how much truth is there to these claims?
It also points to growing mental health concerns as the project nears completion. This raises a bigger question: how much truth is there to these claims?
When is GTA VI releasing?
According to Rockstar Games, GTA VI is set to launch on November 19, 2026, following an earlier delay. Backed by parent company Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar has repeatedly assured fans that the game will arrive within this window, even describing it internally as "the most spectacular piece of entertainment in history". With just under six months to go, the pressure is clearly ramping up across its global studios, including those in Bengaluru, as the countdown to one of gaming's biggest releases intensifies.
What did the review on Glassdoor actually reveal?
An X account, @GTAVI_Countdown, shared two posts highlighting claims from an anonymous QA analyst at Rockstar Games' Bengaluru office. The analyst described mounting pressure, alleging that tasks typically spanning five to six months were compressed into just two to three months. They also claimed widespread unpaid overtime and shifts stretching until 3 AM, adding that their mental well-being deteriorated significantly in recent weeks as the project entered its final phase. Are these true? We wonder the same, but at this stage, there is no concrete proof to verify the claims. Without additional statements or photos from employees or an official statement from Rockstar, these allegations remain in a grey area, believable and concerning, yet still unconfirmed.
The internet reacts
Fan reactions have been sharply divided. One user wrote, "This is heartbreaking but not surprising. Rockstar always does this. The devs deserve better," while another took a more pragmatic stance, saying, "Crunch sucks, but if it means GTA 6 launches polished and on time, I'm okay with it. Sorry, not sorry." A third voice highlighted regional concerns, adding, "Indian studios always get the worst of it. Hope Take-Two at least pays them properly for the extra hours." Overall, the conversation reflected a mix of sympathy, acceptance, and criticism surrounding crunch culture.
Red Dead Redemption and Rockstar's past controversies
Rockstar Games has faced criticism for its crunch culture for years. During the development of Grand Theft Auto V, developers reported working intense overtime, with some logging more than 70 hours a week in the final stretch. In 2010, spouses of employees at Rockstar San Diego publicly called out harsh working conditions during the development of Red Dead Redemption. The controversy escalated again in October 2018 during the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, when co-founder Dan Houser admitted in a New York Magazine interview that the team had worked multiple 100-hour weeks.
These revelations triggered strong public backlash, pushing Rockstar's workplace practices into the spotlight and fueling ongoing debates around crunch culture in the gaming industry.
These revelations triggered strong public backlash, pushing Rockstar's workplace practices into the spotlight and fueling ongoing debates around crunch culture in the gaming industry.
What's next for Rockstar and GTA VI's employees?
The big question now hangs heavy in the air: will this latest Bengaluru leak force any real change, or will it simply fade into the usual pre-launch noise? With just over six months to go until the November 19, 2026, release, both Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have remained completely silent. Insiders believe the pressure will only intensify, not ease, as the final polish phase begins.