Rockstar Games issues statement on 'heartbreaking' Grand Theft Auto VI leaks
Rockstar Games has responded to the recent wave of Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, calling the situation "heartbreaking" while urging fans to wait for the official reveal and November launch.
Rockstar Games has broken its silence on the recent Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, describing the unauthorised gameplay footage as "heartbreaking" for the development team and apologising to fans who may now encounter spoilers before release.
In a statement shared on social media, the developer acknowledged that the leaked material was not how it wanted players to experience the long-awaited sequel, while confirming that Grand Theft Auto VI remains scheduled to launch on November 19.
Rockstar said: "We know that many of you have been waiting to hear from us regarding the events of the past week.
"It would be an understatement to say that having videos of Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay leak in this way has been heartbreaking for our team."
The statement comes after more than a dozen clips from the game appeared online, reportedly shared by an individual or group operating under the name CyberLeek.
The leaker has claimed the footage is intended to highlight concerns around digital ownership and the decline of physical game releases, although the campaign has also involved cryptocurrency promotions.
Rockstar did not address its ongoing efforts to identify those responsible or the legal action reportedly being pursued by publisher Take-Two Interactive.
The developer instead focused on reassuring fans and thanking those who supported the team following the leaks.
Rockstar said: "We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has, from getting the game finished to sharing more details and official gameplay."
The studio also confirmed that its official Grand Theft Auto VI: Extended Look presentation remains on schedule, promising fans a proper showcase of the game ahead of launch.
Rockstar said: "It has taken longer than we wanted to get it ready, but as with everything we do, we know we need to exceed your expectations."
The leaks have revealed several elements of Grand Theft Auto VI’s open world, including gameplay systems, locations and character details.
However, former Rockstar North technical director Obbe Vermeij has argued that the damage may be limited compared with previous controversies, such as the infamous Hot Coffee scandal surrounding Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Rockstar’s official reveal will arrive shortly through the Grand Theft Auto VI: Extended Look, which will initially debut on Netflix on Thursday (27.08.26) before becoming available on platforms including YouTube.
