Rockstar Games, the powerhouse behind the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, had a chaotic start to the week. Early Monday morning, January 19, 2026, emergency services were rushed to the studio's main headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, after a fire broke out.
While any news involving Rockstar North usually sends the internet into a frenzy, the studio was quick to issue a statement confirming that everyone is safe and the project remains on track.
Explosion in the Boiler Room
The incident began around 5:02 AM GMT when an "explosion" was reported at the Holyrood Road office. According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, multiple fire appliances and specialist resources were mobilized to the scene.
Firefighters worked for several hours to secure the building before leaving at 9:21 AM. The cause? A major malfunction in one of the building's heating boilers. Fortunately, because the fire occurred in the early morning hours, the building was largely empty, and no injuries were reported.
Rockstar Responds: "Business as Usual"
Despite the structural damage reported by emergency crews, Rockstar North isn't letting a faulty boiler slow down development. In a statement to BNO News, a spokesperson thanked the first responders and confirmed that the studio remains open and operational.
For fans worried about another delay to the most anticipated game in history, the message was clear: development on GTA 6 continues as planned.
A Turbulent Road to November 2026
This fire is just the latest hurdle in what has been a rocky development cycle for Rockstar:
The Launch Date: GTA 6 is currently set to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It has already faced two major delays from its original Fall 2025 window.
Internal Leaks: Late 2025 saw the dismissal of over 30 employees across the UK and Canada for allegedly leaking "top secret" features—including rumors of a 32-player online mode—on private Discord servers.
Labor Disputes: These firings sparked a major row with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which accused the studio of union-busting.
A Heartwarming Win for the Community
Amidst the corporate drama and boiler explosions, a bit of "great news" recently surfaced. Following an emotional plea from a Ubisoft developer, Rockstar and Take-Two have reportedly agreed to host a private playtest for a terminally ill fan. The fan, who has been given 6–12 months to live, will get a chance to experience the world of Leonida before the rest of us, proving that even the most secretive studios have a heart.
What’s your take? Do you think Rockstar can stick to that November 2026 date, or should we start prepping for a 2027 release? Let us know in the comments below!
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