Rockstar Games Requires Employees to Return to Office for Grand Theft Auto VI Development

Rockstar Games Announces Return-to-Office Policy for Grand Theft Auto VI Development

Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., is set to require employees to work in the office five days a week starting April. This decision comes as the company enters the final stages of development for its highly anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto VI.

Productivity and Security as Reasons

According to a statement by Rockstar Games’ Head of Publishing, Jenn Kolbe, the decision to call employees back to the office is primarily rooted in productivity and security concerns. The company has faced previous security breaches, including leaks of early game footage and trailers from Grand Theft Auto VI.

In-Person Work Benefits

Kolbe expressed that the company has noted actual benefits derived from in-person work. The return-to-office mandate aims to ensure the next Grand Theft Auto game is delivered with the required level of quality and polish, alongside a publishing roadmap that aligns with the game’s scale and ambition.

Return-to-Office Mandates in the Post-Pandemic Era

The requirement for employees to return to the office for work has been a topic of discussion across various industries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many companies have adopted hybrid models allowing for remote work a few days a week, Rockstar Games’ call for in-person work mirrors other recent moves by employers. A recent study, however, revealed that remote work did not have a significant impact on productivity.

Controversy among Video-Game Workers

The requirement for employees in the video-game industry to return to the office has stirred controversy, particularly due to the industry’s volatility and lack of a centralized workforce. Interestingly, many major video game releases in 2023, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 from Insomniac Games, were successfully developed remotely.