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29.02.2024 - 16:29 / rockpapershotgun.com / Rockstar Games
GTA 6 developer Rockstar Games are reportedly ending hybrid working and requiring employees to return to the office full-time, with a view to being in "the best position to deliver the next Grand Theft Auto at the level of quality and polish we know it requires, along with a publishing roadmap that matches the scale and ambition of the game." That's allegedly from an email to staff sent by head of publishing Jenn Kolbe.
The report comes from Bloomberg, according to whom many Rockstar employees are unhappy with the decision. Some Rockstar staff have subsequently tweeted about (and thus, tacitly corroborated) the news in a less-than-enthusiastic fashion.
Kolbe reportedly justified the move as a security measure, while stating that there are "tangible benefits" from in-person work. Rockstar have reason to worry about security. GTA 6 has been the subject of frequent leaks - footage of a development version appeared online in September 2022, and Rockstar's first GTA 6 trailer was pinched and screened with a big dirty Bitcoin watermark the day before it was supposed to run.
Ending remote working for productivity reasons is more questionable. While the situation varies between people and between workplaces, there is plenty of evidence to the effect that fully remote or hybrid working makes people more productive, while also making jobs more accessible for disabled people.
Rockstar's plan to end hybrid working leaves employees who need or would prefer to work remotely in a difficult position. When Activision tried the same thing with QA staff last year, the ABK Workers Alliance branded it a "soft layoff" for anybody who can't return to the office. There's also the argument that managers want staff in-house simply because it makes it easier to overwork them - Rockstar have a track record for crunching on projects, though they have taken steps in recent years to avoid this.
As for GTA 6, it's out in 2025, and Bloomberg's report suggests that the game is, indeed, in the final stages of development. Speculation continues about the final GTA 6 release date (on console, that is). Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot is of the opinion that it'll fall after April 2025.
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The hiatus is over and the Florida Joker has reignited his feud with gaming giant Rockstar Games. Lawrence Sullivan, known for his striking resemblance to a character in the GTA 6 trailer, took to TikTok on March 16, 2024, and he expressed disinterest in engaging with the gaming franchise. Yet, just a day later, on March 17, 2024, Lawrence Sullivan aka Florida Joker resurfaced with another video directed at Rockstar Games.
Ever since the first GTA 6 trailer was released, fans have been requesting Rockstar Games for more information about its upcoming game. Now, the Take-Two Interactive-owned company might be gearing up to release GTA 6 Trailer 2 and it has sparked a frenzy on social media. A massive hype was seen when Rockstar unveiled the GTA 6 trailer, with the video shattering records, becoming the most-watched non-music video in 24 hours. Could GTA 6 Trailer 2 spark the same excitement among Grand Theft Auto fans?
Now, let's chat how you can actually watch the show.
Nintendo is adding a trio of Mario spinoff games to its Nintendo Switch Online subscription service to celebrate Mario Day, adding two sports games and a puzzle game. 2024's celebration of the iconic Nintendo mascot brought plenty of news about the future of the franchise, with multiple major announcements during the livestream. Nintendo would reveal the production of a second Super Mario Bros. Movie, alongside confirming the release dates for the Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and Luigi's Mansion 2 remakes. Now, multiple Mario games are set to come to the Switch.
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The Blood of Lathander is one of the legendary weapons that players should consider getting in . The mace is not easy to acquire as you will need to clear a set of tricky puzzles inside a monastery. However, getting this weapon is worth the trouble, and you will first need to collect several ceremonial weapons tied to a quest. Plenty of traps and other dangers await you if you want this sacred artifact, so be prepared to face several challenges.
Nintendo’s latest Direct gave us the official announcement of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, the definitive edition of SMT V, which originally released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch back in 2021. With pre-orders now live, Atlus has dropped a new ‘extended cut’ of the announcement trailer as well as new information on pre-order bonus items.
Homelander of The Boys seems to have taken a page out of Donald Trump's playbook in light of the besieged hero's ongoing legal troubles, handing his loyal fans a truly golden opportunity to support him and his legal team via a rather bold fashion item.