Rockstar Games
A Rockstar Games insider has responded to claims that developers on GTA 6 are working “until 3 am” to get the game out on time.
Despite two delays already, it’s now full steam ahead on Grand Theft Auto 6’s launch on November 19, 2026. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has reiterated his confidence in that release date, joking that millions of people will be calling in sick to work that day, and that marketing for the game will start “soon.”
As excitement for fans has started ramping up again, apparently so too has the crunch for developers.
The crunch is that time before launch where developers work much longer hours than normal, with some Rockstar developers reporting working 100-hour weeks in the crunch for Red Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar dev claims they’re crunching for GTA 6
On May 3, a number of Grand Theft Auto fan accounts noted an anonymous Glassdoor review from a Rockstar developer at the Bengaluru studio, which said they are working until 3 AM to get things ironed out.
“You are expected to work overtime without pay. The work schedule has been hectic since last month. Some colleagues had to work till 3 AM in the morning after completing their shifts in the morning,” one review of working on “the most anticipated entertainment project in the world” said.
“They’re expecting us to complete tasks that usually take 5-6 months in 2-3 months.
If you complain to HOD, it’s useless.”
A new Rockstar Games review on Glassdoor from an employee working on GTA 6 says:
– They’re expected to complete tasks that usually take 5-6 months in 2-3 months
– Work schedule has been hectic since last month and they’re working overtime
– The last few weeks have been a toll on… pic.twitter.com/liukhVLimH— GTA 6 Countdown ⏳ (@GTAVI_Countdown) May 3, 2026
Kiwi Talkz responds to GTA 6 crunch claims
As Glassdoor allows anyone to leave anonymous reviews, some fans have been skeptical about the validity of it, questioning insider KiwiTalkz over it.
Former GTA 6 dev issues warning about how the final game will stack up compared to trailer 3
Rockstar devs will be “quaking” about meeting GTA 6 expectations according to game developer
“What you call crunch is just normal day-to-day work in India, so 100% yes lol,” he responded.
“India isn’t known for work-life balance, I spend a lot of time there due to family and friends, and I know how crazy they work.”
what you call crunch is just normal day to day work in India, so 100% yes lol.
India isn't known for work life balance, I spend a lot of time there due to family and friends and I know how crazy they work.
— Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly (@kiwitalkz) May 3, 2026
The YouTuber added that he knows developers at Rockstar India, and will actually be travelling there in June to meet up with them.
Plenty of fans have questioned how the game can be in a crunch after two delays too, which Take-Two will likely be asked about at their earnings call in late May.
Rockstar employees did flag that there were fears of further delays to GTA 6’s development after more than 30 staffers were fired back in November.
Zelnick also admitted that he is “terrified” of GTA 6 finally releasing, but that’s more so on how it will be judged than anything else.
