The developers of Grand Theft Auto 6 have spoken out against Rockstar’s “reckless” mandate to return to the office environment

Last week, Rockstar informed its employees about its decision to discontinue the hybrid work system, citing increased productivity and security concerns.

The choice followed a series of substantial leaks related to Grand Theft Auto 6, with Rockstar’s Head of Publishing, Jenn Kolbe, asserting that the company has observed “real benefits” from in-person work, as reported by Bloomberg.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and several Rockstar employees criticized the decision, claiming that ending remote work for most staff on April 15 is another letdown in a string of broken promises and may reintroduce harmful working practices.

Last year, protesting Rockstar employees signed a petition with 175 signatures, urging the preservation of remote work options in response to a mandatory shift to a three-day office week.

At that time, Rockstar reportedly assured employees in a company-wide email: “This isn’t our first step to 5 days a week. No one wants to go back to the old way of working.”

An unnamed employee expressed concerns: “Working from home has been a lifeline for many of us at Rockstar, allowing us to balance care responsibilities, manage disabilities, and relocate as needed. Now, Rockstar is taking away that lifeline without considering the impact on the most affected workers.

“After numerous broken promises, we fear management may be paving the way for a return to toxic ‘crunch’ practices. Senior leadership needs to reconsider their reckless decision-making and engage with their staff to find an arrangement that works for everyone.”

Another employee noted: “As usual, there has been zero consultation with us—the people most affected by these policy changes. One of my concerns is being forced to work late hours in the office to maintain contact with global teams when before we could log on from home for late meetings. This will mean missing out on spending time with our families. I am also aware of colleagues with health issues preventing full-time office work who are now left in limbo.”

Speaking on behalf of colleagues, another worker emphasized: “We, the staff, care deeply about the games we make, and our passion, skill, and talent should never be taken for granted by studio management. It is through collaboration, a healthy work-life balance, and workplace culture that we continue creating some of the most beloved and spectacular games in our industry.”

In recent years, Rockstar has reportedly made strides in mitigating its once-infamous crunch culture, where staff were expected to work overtime at nights and weekends to meet project deadlines. The first Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer was released in December, confirming a planned 2025 release date.