Early Monday, January 20, an explosion shook the Rockstar North offices, located on Holyrood Road in Edinburgh. At 5:02 a.m., Scottish firefighters were dispatched to the scene following a reported incident in the building’s boiler room. Seven units, including specialized vehicles, were mobilized to secure the scene. Emergency services left the site shortly after 9:21 a.m.
Luckily, the building was almost empty at this early hour, thus avoiding any injuries. But the news immediately raised fears about the future of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026.
rockstar reacts quickly and reassures GTA 6 fans
A few hours after the incident, Rockstar Games wanted to calm concerns. Contacted by IGN, a representative explained that the explosion was caused by “a malfunction in one of the heating boilers.”
In the same press release, the studio welcomed the rapid intervention of the emergency services and wanted to reassure its entire community. “A big thank you to everyone who showed us their support, as well as to the police and firefighters who intervened quickly to assess the situation,” the spokesperson said. “Everyone is well and our studio remains open and operational.”
a context already under tension at Rockstar North
This explosion adds to an already unstable period for the studio. In recent weeks, Rockstar North has been rocked by internal union conflicts and protests over layoffs. Employees are under pressure, a few months before the release of one of the most anticipated games of the decade. Despite this, the development team continues its work, and no official information suggests a delay. GTA 6 has already been postponed twice: a third delay would be a big blow for fans.
GTA 6: still on the way for November 2026
Beyond the explosion and the viral images shared on social networks, the main thing is elsewhere. No injuries have been reported, the damage is under control, and the studio remains functional. Rockstar is therefore staying the course: GTA 6 is still scheduled for a worldwide release on November 19, 2026. This clear communication aims to refocus players’ attention on development, while putting an end to speculation around a potential interruption or postponement.