Rockstar is hunting down insiders with fake GTA VI leaks

In anticipation of Grand Theft Auto VI's fall release, Rockstar Games has launched an unprecedented campaign to combat leaks. According to insiders, the studio has not only tightened controls over its developers but also begun deliberately spreading false information about the project to identify the source of leaks. The situation around Rockstar's offices has been compared to the legendary "Area 51" – so dense has the veil of secrecy become.

According to reports, management is providing different groups of employees with slightly different details about the game: fictitious mission names, altered map details, or non-existent gameplay mechanics. If any of these "bait" leaks appear publicly, the company easily identifies the leaker. This method, widely used in corporate environments, not only identifies leakers but also sows fear among potential whistleblowers.

According to well-known insider KiwiTalkz, this information is "absolutely true." As a result, many content creators who previously shared development details are now choosing to remain silent for fear of discrediting themselves with false information. The situation is exacerbated by recent layoffs: in November 2025, Rockstar fired employees in India and the US for disclosing confidential information, while similar measures were previously taken against employees in the UK.

These stringent security measures stem not only from a desire to maintain suspense but also from unfortunate past experiences. In 2022, a hacker leaked over 90 videos of an early build of the game, becoming one of the largest leaks in industry history. An additional security measure could be the removal of physical copies at launch—discs are traditionally a source of early leaks when they reach stores before the official release.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19th exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles. The marketing campaign is set to kick off this summer, and Rockstar is doing everything it can to ensure that no surprises are spoiled by premature leaks by then.