After weeks of speculation about internal chaos at Rockstar Games, a reliable insider has stepped forward to set the record straight — claiming that the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI has nothing to do with recent staff firings, and that the long-awaited title is actually “content complete.”
The rumor mill turns
Earlier reports painted a chaotic picture inside Rockstar: multiple layoffs, alleged union-busting, and whispers that the firings might have thrown GTA 6’s development into disarray.
Dozens of employees in the UK and Canada were reportedly let go, with some claiming they were targeted for supporting unionisation efforts — not poor performance.
That narrative quickly spiraled online, suggesting the game’s delay was fallout from a toxic corporate shake-up.
“Content complete” — but not quite ready
According to a source close to the development team, speaking under the handle Kiwi Talkz, those claims are off-base. The insider insists the layoffs “had nothing to do with the project schedule,” adding that GTA 6 is content complete — meaning all missions, locations, and major gameplay systems are finished.
“The game’s playable from start to finish,” the insider said. “Right now, Rockstar’s teams are focused on polish, performance optimization, and platform certification — the unglamorous stuff that makes it actually run well on consoles.”
That’s not unusual for Rockstar. The studio has a long history of stretching out the final polish phase, often for a year or more, to ensure its games meet the studio’s famously high standards.
The new release window
Rockstar confirmed earlier this month that Grand Theft Auto VI is now targeting a November 2026 release, shifting from its original Spring 2026 target. The company said the delay is meant to “ensure the highest level of quality possible,” though it offered no further explanation.
For fans who have been waiting more than a decade since GTA V first launched, that extra wait stings — but given Rockstar’s track record, it’s hardly a surprise.
The controversy over layoffs
While the insider’s reassurance is good news, the conversation around Rockstar’s workplace culture isn’t going away.
Multiple reports, including those from Cosmic Book News and The Daily Tribune, describe around 30 to 40 employees being laid off across Rockstar’s UK and Canadian offices earlier this year.
Some of those affected accused the company of using “restructuring” as a cover for union suppression, while others alleged that internal disagreements and leaks led to terminations.
Rockstar has not publicly addressed these claims in detail, though parent company Take-Two Interactive previously stated it “does not comment on personnel matters.”
Fans remain cautiously optimistic
Despite the internal drama, the fact that GTA 6 has reached a “content complete” milestone is encouraging. For players, that means the game’s world — rumored to be set in a modernised Vice City with two playable protagonists — is finished in design and scope.
The remaining time will likely be spent refining performance, squashing bugs, and preparing for next-gen console certification. If history is any guide, that could make GTA 6 one of the most polished open-world games ever released.
As one fan wrote on Reddit:
“If they need another few months to make it perfect, take it. We’ve waited 12 years — what’s one more?”
The bottom line
Whether the delay was purely logistical or partially political, Rockstar’s silence isn’t helping. Still, the insider’s statement offers at least one clear takeaway — GTA 6 isn’t in trouble. It’s just taking time.
And if it truly is “made, tested, and ready for polish,” then the next time we see it could finally be the start of something huge.
