Rockstar Games employees are reportedly facing crunch and low salaries as major issues leading up to the launch of GTA VI.
Recent reviews on Glassdoor (via Loose_Society9485 on Reddit) suggest that Rockstar Games employees are facing crunch and low salaries ahead of the release of GTA VI. Feedback from multiple roles, including a QA analyst, a game tester, and a software engineer, claims intense workloads, extended hours, and no compensation.
Crunch is listed among “Cons” across most recent reviews. The QA analyst described a sharp escalation in workload over the recent period, stating that “the work schedule has been hectic since last month,” with some employees reportedly working late into the night after already completing full daytime shifts. The same individual claimed that “you are expected to work overtime without pay,” and that deadlines have been compressed, with tasks typically requiring “5 to 6 months” now expected to be completed in “2–3 months.” The game tester’s review echoes these sentiments, noting that while “innovation and technology is the best,” the “hectic days and crunching is bad.”
Meanwhile, in their review, the software engineer mentioned that Rockstar Games is paying lower than expected salaries, claiming employees may earn “~50k less than what they could be making at any other company.” They said that this approach is affecting hiring quality, arguing the company often prioritizes lower-cost hires over top-tier talent.
In terms of management practices, while some teams reportedly benefit from strong leadership, others suffer from oversight and poor decision-making. The software engineer noted that management quality is a “total crapshoot,” with some leaders lacking relevant experience. Issues such as weak communication between teams and unresolved internal inefficiencies are also cited as ongoing problems.
GTA VI is set for release on November, 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar Games is allegedly “95%” likely to stick to the release date. Read about it here.
