For GTA 6, Rockstar has more than doubled in size since Red Dead Redemption 2, and has an entire Los Angeles branch dedicated to realistic NPCs
Copy link Facebook X Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter GTA 6's protracted development has seen Rockstar Games more than double in size since its last major release, Red Dead Redemption 2, according to a new report.
Dazed published an early look at an in-depth chat with several Rockstar leaders who examined the making of GTA 6 . It notes that Rockstar's global network of offices now includes a Los Angeles, California branch "dedicated almost solely" to pedestrian NPCs in GTA 6.
Other specialist GTA 6 staff include professional drivers and street artists consulted for cars and murals, says Dazed.
"We look back at our previous games with a critical eye and see where we want to evolve based on what we didn't do as well as we would have liked to, either because we didn't have the time, resources or technological capabilities, or in some cases things we just didn't do as well or consider as fully as we could have," says Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson. "A lot of what we do is very iterative we adjust a lot of things by feel based on what is working and what isn't."
Though GTA 5 and GTA Online are its big breadwinners, Red Dead Redemption 2, also a commercial monolith, is still widely regarded as Rockstar's most ambitious game. Even in 2018, it was a rare combination of scope and attention to detail the kind of blood-from-stone production that only a company of this size could even attempt.
Thousands of developers have contributed to GTA 6 in some form, with its development budget, primarily consisting of wages paid, estimated to top $1 billion . The Rockstar LA example is illustrative: entire, sizable studios have fewer people than individual departments behind GTA 6.
Earlier today, Rockstar acknowledged the string of leaks that's preceded GTA 6's Netflix reveal trailer. "It has taken longer than we wanted to get it ready, but as with everything we do, we know we need to exceed your expectations, and we are determined to deliver at the level you expect and deserve," it wrote.
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
GTA 6 leaker turns to story spoilers: Cyberleek uploads 4-minute Lucia prologue clip hours after Rockstar says the leaks are "heartbreaking."
Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.