Rockstar Games More Than Doubles in Size for GTA 6 Development

According to a new report, Rockstar Games has more than doubled in size since the release of its previous major title, Red Dead Redemption 2. The extended development of GTA 6 has involved thousands of developers contributing in various forms, with estimated development budgets—primarily consisting of staff wages—topping $1 billion.

Insights published by Dazed following an in-depth discussion with several Rockstar leaders shed light on the massive scale behind the upcoming open-world game. Among Rockstar's global network of offices is a branch located in Los Angeles, California, which is described as being dedicated almost solely to crafting realistic pedestrian NPCs for GTA 6. Additionally, the development team has consulted professional drivers and street artists to authenticate the cars and murals appearing within the game.

Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson noted that the development team continually evaluates past titles with a critical eye. The studio looks to evolve features that may have fallen short previously due to limitations in time, technology, or resources. Nelson emphasized that the creative process is highly iterative, relying heavily on feel and adjustment based on functional gameplay results.

Alongside the report on its expanding studio size, Rockstar addressed a series of leaks that preceded the reveal trailer. Acknowledging that the situation has taken longer than desired, the company expressed determination to meet and exceed player expectations. Meanwhile, security challenges have continued outside of official channels, with unauthorized footage surfacing online following company statements regarding the leaks.