Rockstar Games is taking extreme measures to protect the secrets of Grand Theft Auto 6, comparing its security efforts to those of industry giants like Apple and Coca-Cola. The studio detailed these extensive protocols during a hearing at the Glasgow Employment Tribunal, where Rockstar faces accusations of unlawfully firing 34 developers last year.
"Guarding the secrets of the unique gameplay and design are akin to Apple protecting the iPhone or Coke protecting its formula," Rockstar stated in its opening notes, as reported by IGN. The developer asserts that the demand for insider information necessitates security standards far beyond those of typical employers. To combat industrial espionage, Rockstar has resorted to coating its office windows with privacy film after identifying instances of aerial drones being used to photograph interior workspaces.
Further security enhancements include stringent no-photography policies for all visitors, a complete ban on external storage devices within office premises, and limitations on remote work for employees. The company also maintains a dedicated, full-time security team comprising five investigators and a director tasked with monitoring for potential leaks. These measures are designed to create a robust barrier against unauthorized information dissemination.
Despite these efforts, Rockstar has experienced significant security breaches in the past. A massive data leak in 2022 was followed by another wave of GTA 6 gameplay leaks that surfaced shortly before the game's premiere on Netflix. Rockstar expressed its disappointment following these incidents, stating, "It would be an understatement to say that having videos of GTA 6 gameplay leak in this way has been heartbreaking for our team, and this is obviously not how we intended for you to see the game after all this time."
The ongoing tribunal at the Glasgow Employment Tribunal also touches upon internal security matters. Rockstar claims the 34 dismissed employees were terminated for leaking GTA 6 features via Discord. However, the former employees, represented by the Independent Workers of Great Britain union, allege that their dismissals were due to union activities, a claim Rockstar denies. The former workers have encouraged public support through the purchase of t-shirts to fund their legal efforts, while urging against a boycott of GTA 6 itself.