Rockstar Games has broken its silence on the recent Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, describing the unauthorised release of gameplay footage as 'heartbreaking' for the development team.
In a statement published to its social media channels, the studio acknowledged the spread of leaked videos over the past week and apologised for the delay in responding. The statement reads: "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 VI 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."
Statement addresses delays and spoilers
Rockstar also addressed the prolonged development process, noting that the game is "nearly there" and that sharing official details and gameplay had taken longer than expected. The statement continues: "We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has — from getting the game finished (nearly there!) to sharing more details and official gameplay, and providing the community with everything you want to know."
The developer acknowledged that spoilers may have impacted the intended experience but urged fans to wait for the full release. "While it is unfortunate that the intended game experience may now be impacted by some spoilers, we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19," the statement adds.
Official Extended Look premieres on Netflix
Rockstar confirmed it will showcase official gameplay via an 'Extended Look' premiering on Netflix at 8pm BST on August 27. The statement expressed excitement about the reveal: "We are very excited for everyone to see the extended look tomorrow. 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, and we are determined to deliver at the level you expect and deserve."
The studio also thanked fans for their support during the past week. "We want to thank everyone in the community who has reached out with messages of support this past week — your words have meant more to this team than you can imagine. Ultimately, we are making this game for you, and without you, we would not have the privilege of making games," the statement concludes.
