In the summer of 2020 a grave event unfolded in the United States when a police officer killed George Floyd, a Black man. In response, Rockstar Games chose to pause a fresh game mode planned for Grand Theft Auto Online.
The mode, Cops ’n’ Crooks, known from GTA4 around its approximate edition, envisioned teams of police officers facing off against criminals. Yet after Floyd’s killing and the ensuing nationwide and global outcry over police violence, public sentiment shifted sharply. Many questioned the appropriateness of a mode centered on law enforcement conflict during a period of widespread distrust. Management at Rockstar Games weighed how audiences would react to such content and ultimately postponed the release of Cops ’n’ Crooks for an indefinite period. Those familiar with the development process say the publisher considered canceling the mode entirely for GTA Online.
This decision is one of several difficult choices made by Rockstar and its parent company Take-Two over the years. The studio also removed a transphobic joke from the latest GTA 5 console update and implemented equal pay initiatives for women and men. Insiders indicate that the sixth Grand Theft Auto installment will feature a female lead for the first time, paired with a partner inspired by the notorious Bonnie and Clyde duo. The developers also indicate a shift away from provoking fringe groups in future GTA releases.
In the past, such bold moves seemed unlikely for a company whose flagship game series uses satire to critique American culture. The games often place outlaws in the spotlight rather than depicting civilians as casualties, and earlier GTA titles leaned into provocative humor that mocked both conservatives and liberals. Rockstar’s internal culture, too, faced scrutiny. Employees reported long hours, late nights, weekends spent at the office, and a sense that workload and pressure were tied to the cadence of major releases.
That climate helped fuel GTA 5, which later rose to become one of the best-selling games in history with a global footprint of over 165 million copies. The same period saw burnout, employee departures, and a broader industry-wide reckoning in 2018, with Rockstar personnel speaking out about the workplace environment.
Responding to these issues, Rockstar began addressing working conditions and internal practices. More than twenty current and former staff shared perspectives about a culture evolving from a club-like atmosphere into a more professional workplace. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the claims. The question of whether updated Rockstar would deliver high-quality releases that meet sales expectations has lingered, though many employees report morale improvements. Fans and developers alike acknowledge that GTA 6 has moved more slowly than hoped.
The recent slowdown is explained by a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to improve staff welfare. Leadership restructured several departments and clarified responsibilities as the team explored a new cultural direction. Some employees say the development team continues to refine how a modern Grand Theft Auto should feel and look, recognizing that modern audiences demand authenticity and responsibility. The departure of a prominent design director and leadership shifts have led to changes in key systems such as combat and user experience as the project evolves.
Industry observers expect Grand Theft Auto’s next main entry to debut sometime in the mid-2020s, amid ongoing questions about release timing after a long development cycle that traces back to 2014. While there is a sense that the project will arrive within a couple of years, several designers recently left Rockstar’s Edinburgh studio, citing frustration with progress and cadence.
Despite the challenges, GTA 5 remains a monumental financial success and continues to drive the company forward. Its enduring popularity has given Rockstar leeway to pursue cultural and organizational reforms without rushing a new title. A participant who prefers to remain anonymous noted that reshaping Rockstar’s internal culture could help attract talent and produce games that resonate with players and investors alike.
Do large teams in the game industry need long hours to create standout titles? That question circulates as gamers and workers weigh the balance between ambition and well-being. The ongoing debate remains part of a broader conversation about how studios operate in today’s market.
Source attribution: VG Times