Simply yesterday, Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Video games knowledgeable its workers they might be returning to the workplace full-time and scrapping distant work. These workers have responded to the mandate, and so they’re not completely happy. Some GTA 6 devs are even stating they worry a return to the “poisonous ‘crunch’ practices” for which Rockstar was recognized throughout the improvement of video games like Purple Useless Redemption 2 and GTA V.
GTA 6 devs accuse Rockstar of damaged guarantees
Rockstar has been attempting to encourage its workers to return to the workplace since final yr. When the developer tried to implement a transition to a three-day workplace week in 2023, Rockstar claimed “this isn’t our first step to five days per week. Nobody desires to return to the previous approach of working.” Now the GTA 6 devs are accusing Rockstar of breaking their guarantees following yesterday’s mandate that workers return to workplace full-time.
An nameless worker advised VGC that Rockstar is eradicating a distant working lifeline that allowed them to “stability care obligations, handle disabilities, and relocate as we’d like.” They continued:
Rockstar is snatching away that lifeline with out a second thought for the employees who’ll be impacted most. After so many damaged guarantees we now worry administration could even be paving the way in which for a return to poisonous ‘crunch’ practices. Senior management must rethink their reckless choice making and interact with their employees to search out an association that works for everybody.
Rockstar had gained fairly a popularity for its “poisonous crunch practices” throughout earlier video games. Most of the accusations in opposition to the corporate concerned 100-hour weeks, obligatory time beyond regulation, and worry techniques. As such, earlier experiences had claimed GTA 6 can be delayed till 2025 to keep away from these crunch circumstances.
Nonetheless, obligatory time beyond regulation was a priority for one more nameless worker who stated “simply one in all my considerations is being pressured to work late hours within the workplace to keep up contact with world groups when earlier than we may go browsing from house to attend late conferences.” The considerations have meant that the IWGB Sport Employees Union has additionally issued a press release condemning Rockstar’s actions:
The employees within the IWGB Sport Employees Union at Rockstar are pushing for transparency over pay and promotions, a wholesome and inclusive office tradition, and work life stability centred round what every employee wants. It’s unacceptable that Rockstar management have gone again on their phrase time and time once more and have ignored the employees’ requests for fundamental working circumstances.
Employees throughout the business are carried out with letting executives make reckless and dangerous selections and the Rockstar employees are exhibiting us the beginning of what’s to return in the event that they’re frequently ignored. There’s no higher time than now to affix our union and push for this to be the wholesome and sustainable video games business we all know it may be.
IWGB Sport Employees Union chairman Austin Kelmore
Rockstar is but to remark.