Internet archives caught the studio removing mentions of the upcoming game from job listings two days after they went viral, sparking theories about damage control or calculated marketing.

Rockstar Games has mysteriously scrubbed all mentions of Grand Theft Auto 6 from their recent job listings, leaving everyone wondering what this could mean for what has been described as the "largest game launch in history."

The coverup didn't take long.

After news of the pair of job listings went viral, Rockstar quietly edited the said pages. Using internet archive tools, you can clearly see that the listings originally mentioned both Grand Theft Auto Online and GTA 6 on September 14 before the information was subsequently removed two days later, making it clear these positions were directly related to the upcoming blockbuster title.

Rockstar has a long history of keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to major releases. What makes this particular instance so intriguing is that they actually went ahead and tried to retract their earlier "statement" knowing full well that millions of eyes are watching every move they make - inadvertently causing an even bigger spectacle.

On one hand, removing references to the game from job listings may be a form of damage control. Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, likely want to maintain strict control over their messaging and avoid any speculation about potential delays or development issues. The last thing they need is for investors, retailers, or fans to start worrying about the game's progress based on recruitment needs.

On the other hand, maybe this is all part of Rockstar's plan? Earlier this year, we found out that Rockstar had already allocated a significant amount to its marketing budget for this fiscal year. So, maybe, just maybe, Rockstar knew that this would happen?

Given Rockstar's penchant for cheeky Easter Eggs, we wouldn't put it past them to try something like this, as if their way of telling every Grand Theft Auto fan that they're well aware of the level of anticipation surrounding the sixthquel.

With that said, the only thing we're sure of right now is that Rockstar continues to be hard at work on a game that has already set entertainment records with just the release of its first and second trailers.