The development of Grand Theft Auto 6 continues to attract all eyes, but this time, it’s not the gameplay mechanics or the game map that are talking. According to official data published by the British tax authorities (HM Revenue and Customs), the British branch of Rockstar Gameswhich notably supervises Rockstar Northallegedly failed to pay the full salaries owed to several employees in 2025.
The total amount mentioned would amount to £1,396.73 divided between five workers. If the sum may seem relatively modest on the scale of an industry giant, the current context makes the matter particularly sensitive.
A new controversy after massive layoffs
This revelation comes just months after a highly publicized wave of layoffs. On October 30, 2025, 31 developers working on GTA 6 were fired, a decision justified by the company as “serious misconduct”.
This version of events was quickly contested by certain employees concerned. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) took the case to court, believing that Rockstar had obstructed union efforts.
In January 2026, a provisional decision temporarily ruled in favor of the publisher, but the legal battle is not completely over. In this already tense climate, the publication of an official list of British companies having underpaid employees has reignited criticism.
A situation far from isolated in the industry
According to HM Revenue and Customs, Rockstar Games UK Limited is among 389 organizations operating in the United Kingdom having had to regularize salary gaps observed in 2025. The authorities have ordered the full reimbursement of the sums owed.
It should be noted, however, that this type of irregularity appears every year in official reports and concerns companies of varying sizes. The amount recorded at Rockstar North remains within the average of the differences noted by the administration.
However, the image of the studio having already been weakened by recent layoffs and a fire that occurred in its premises on January 19, 2026 – fortunately without injuries – the affair takes on a more important media dimension.
What impact on the development of GTA 6?
Despite this turbulence, Rockstar ensures that the GTA 6 release schedule remains unchanged. The game is still expected for November 2026 on PlayStation 5 And Xbox Series.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of parent company Take-Two Interactive, recently reaffirmed the group’s desire to deliver the game on time. Even if these controversies have not yet had a direct impact on production, some observers are wondering about the internal climate of the studio.
The video game industry has been going through a particularly unstable period since 2023, marked by massive layoffs among many major players. Rockstar is therefore not an isolated case, even if its iconic status naturally attracts more attention.
If unpaid salaries are regularized quickly, this matter could remain just one administrative incident among others. On the other hand, the procedure linked to dismissals could have wider repercussions depending on its outcome. For now, fans are mainly waiting for official news regarding GTA 6, each announcement of which triggers a wave of global enthusiasm.