Italian YouTuber Mike ShowSha claims that Rockstar developers confirmed fans were indeed measuring oxygen levels around the company's campus in an effort to gauge progress on the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.

During a visit to Rockstar ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 Netflix showcase, ShowSha stated that developers shared anecdotes about fans' extreme dedication. The YouTuber relayed that employees acknowledged the unusual monitoring tactics, suggesting that increased oxygen consumption in the area could indicate a higher staff presence, and by extension, accelerated development or an impending announcement.

This practice reportedly stems from a fan who went viral in June for setting up equipment to monitor atmospheric conditions around Rockstar North. Their hypothesis was that a decrease in oxygen levels, particularly after standard working hours, would signify more staff on-site working intensely on the game. The same fan also employed acoustic equipment and monitored employee traffic in attempts to divine the game's development status.

ShowSha mentioned this observation in an August 28 video, stating, "There are people who measure oxygen levels — I don’t know how they do it, but they told me this at Rockstar, so I’d tend to believe them, because if there’s a sign that suggests there are more people inside the studios, it means development has increased, and therefore, it’s about to happen. It's crazy."

The unusual fan dedication has drawn a range of reactions online, from amusement to concern over the intensity of the obsession. Some social media users have humorously linked the behavior to the trailer's opening remarks, while others expressed disbelief at the level of effort.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19, 2026. The game's upcoming release has fueled significant anticipation, with recent previews offering extensive details, including insights into the relationship mechanic between protagonists Jason and Lucia. Reports suggest players may not need to actively engage with this mechanic if they prefer not to.