Ex-Rockstar Games worker had concerns over generative AI use at GTA 6 studio, court leak shows

While the studio is secretive about its plans, Rockstar Games figures have expressed caution about generative AI. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick also downplayed the technology’s creative role in GTA 6. Nevertheless, a court proceeding has revealed that at least one fired worker shared concerns over the tools.

Summarizing the Rockstar Games court battle

The People Makes Games YouTube channel viewed evidence from a recent UK tribunal. The 30+ employees sought lost wages, following their termination for alleged “gross misconduct”. At the heart of the dispute are logs from the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) Discord server.

The pro-union employees insist that the conversations centered on workplace conditions. However, Rockstar argues that secrets were divulged in the process, including GTA 6 leaks related to new features. People Make Games read numerous messages, with one referencing a 32-player multiplayer mode. Still, much of the chatting focused on complaints about the studio.

In a message sent on February 20th, 2025, a former employee appeared to comment on an office memo. It reads, “I would both love and hate to know what uses of gen AI legal have approved.”

As publishers like Microsoft and EA make large investments in AI, developers fear for their jobs. Generative AI can assist with QA and debugging, and even create assets without needing salaries. It’s possible that Rockstar only advocates using the tools for rudimentary tasks, including schedule-making. That said, the individual may have anticipated the technology taking on more responsibilities.

How GTA 6 might utilize AI

Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick and Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser aren’t proponents of AI substituting for human artists. In interviews, they advocated for it to improve efficiency rather than designing maps.

Other Discord server leaks show that the studio pushed to have as many workers as possible in offices. The company is also notorious for perfecting games, which may still require human attention. GTA 6 will likely employ machine learning to make NPC behavior more realistic, but not for creative tasks.

With copious documents submitted to the court, more could come out about the game’s development process. Rockstar will fight to prevent GTA 6 leaks, but confidential information is already on record.