Rockstar vowed GTA 6 wouldn’t be finished “by crunching” after Red Dead Redemption 2’s development
gamesradar.com Oct 14, 2026

Rockstar vowed GTA 6 wouldn’t be finished “by crunching” after Red Dead Redemption 2’s development

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Rockstar’s head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, confirmed that the studio has changed its approach to game development after the crunch‑heavy production of Red Dead Redemption 2. Kolbe said Rockstar pledged to avoid “finishing a game by crunching” for GTA 6, introducing policies that grant paid time off and additional pay for overtime. While acknowledging imperfections, she expressed pride in the new framework. The shift follows employee claims that crunch remains “built into” contracts, despite the title’s long delay.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The move signals a rare industry acknowledgment that developer well‑being can be prioritized without sacrificing a blockbuster’s launch.
  • · It may pressure other studios to adopt similar safeguards, reshaping expectations for high‑profile game releases.