Rockstar Games underwent a substantial expansion, doubling its employee headcount in preparation for Grand Theft Auto 6 and integrating real-world professionals into its development process. This significant growth followed the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, with a dedicated Los Angeles office reportedly focused almost exclusively on the game's non-player characters (NPCs).
Prior to this expansion, Rockstar employed approximately 2,000 individuals in 2018. Current estimates place the company's workforce at around 4,000 employees. The studio's growth over the past decade has been fueled by acquisitions of new offices in Australia and India, in addition to the LA-based facility.
The company's hiring strategy extends beyond traditional game development roles. Rockstar has brought on external experts, including Miami-based stylist Jillian Carr, who was tasked with creating a "fashion ecosystem" to reflect the diverse styles, cultures, and social classes within Vice City. Carr noted that "Vice City is built around vanity," influenced by social media, celebrity culture, and tourism, where appearances hold significant weight and trends evolve rapidly.
Further enhancing the game's authenticity, Rockstar engaged racecar drivers to refine the vehicle handling mechanics. Additionally, 50 real street artists were recruited to design murals that will be featured throughout the game's map. While the use of consultants is not uncommon in game development, Carr and other external professionals have become full-time employees at Rockstar, contributing to the game's ongoing development for several years. Carr, for instance, was hired in 2023 and is integrated into the team's regular operations.
Rockstar has also teased new gameplay elements for GTA 6, indicating that character mechanics such as eating, working out, and sleeping will have an impact on the player experience. More details are expected to be revealed soon, with an extended gameplay look scheduled to be shown on Netflix.