A fresh review out of Rockstar India has reignited the debate around working conditions on Grand Theft Auto VI. The post on Glassdoor quickly garnered attention online. It depicts long hours, unpaid overtime, and intense pressure as teams race toward a hard deadline.
Reports of Heavy Workload
According to the review, developers are expected to finish five to six months of work within just two to three months. As a result, the workload has increased sharply in recent weeks. The schedule has also turned unpredictable since last month. Many developers reportedly work late into the night, with some shifts stretching until 3 AM after regular daytime hours.
Soon after, screenshots of the review spread across social media. This triggered renewed concern about burnout in game development. The issue is not new, but it remains a serious topic in the industry.
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
Reece Reilly, also known as Kiwi Talkz, shared his perspective on the situation. He has links to the Bengaluru studio and said such conditions are common in the region. He explained that what many call “crunch” may be seen as normal work practice in India.
However, these reports also reflect a broader pattern at Rockstar. During the development of Red Dead Redemption 2, the company faced similar criticism. At that time, developers reportedly worked up to 100 hours per week near the final stages.
In addition, recent layoffs may have added to the pressure. More than 30 employees were reportedly let go in November. This has likely increased the workload for the remaining staff.
Release Timeline
Despite earlier delays, Take-Two Interactive continues to target a November 19, 2026, release. CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged the high expectations tied to the launch. He also admitted concerns about meeting those expectations. As the deadline gets closer, development teams appear to be under growing strain.
