Rockstar enforces office return for GTA VI, faces backlash
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Rockstar Games, the prominent video game developer behind the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto series, has mandated a full-time return to the office (RTO) for its employees beginning in April.
In an email to staff reviewed by Bloomberg, Rockstar’s Head of Publishing Jenn Kolbe stated the decision comes as the company enters the final phases of development on the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI.
Kolbe cited productivity and security concerns, including recent leaks of early GTA VI footage, as reasons for the policy change.
A Message from Rockstar Games pic.twitter.com/T4Wztu8RW8
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) September 19, 2022
The move has proven controversial, both internally and across the wider video game industry. IGN reported that Rockstar workers are criticizing the RTO decision, with some describing it as “snatching their lifeline.”
“Working from home has been a lifeline for many of us at Rockstar, allowing us to balance care responsibilities, manage disabilities, and relocate as we need. Now, Rockstar is snatching away that lifeline without a second thought for the workers who’ll be impacted most.”
Another said: “As usual, there has been zero consultation with us: the people who these policy changes most affect… This will mean missing out on spending time with our families. I am also aware of colleagues who have health issues preventing full time office work who are now left in limbo.”
Some critics turn to X to argue such “bullshit” mandates:
This is bullshit. It's been proven time and time again that forced RTO is bad for productivity
Catching a deadly and disabling disease that can cause brain damage isn't very good for talent retention either. But they don't care about their employees, this is about power/control https://t.co/YzgQxoJO3b
— Hanner (@GangstHannah) February 28, 2024
Return to Office Mandates are layoffs.
Remote workers are effectively told: Move or Quit. https://t.co/qsh8wngynm
— Beeonkey (🐝 on 🔑) (@beeonkeyco) February 28, 2024
Headline should be "Rockstar lays off all remote workers" https://t.co/KlfbZIFVKT
— drew (@imo_drew) February 28, 2024
Meanwhile, the UK’s Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, representing Rockstar North developers working on GTA VI, has publicly opposed the policy over transparency and culture issues.
Another major game studio Activision Blizzard confirmed in February that employees would have to return to the office for three days per week starting in April.
