Does the world have it out for Grand Theft Auto 6? Probably not, but the latest incident surrounding Rockstar Games certainly has fans worried about the upcoming game, and joking about a potential delay all the same. On Monday morning, January 19, 2026, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to a reported boiler room explosion at Barclay House on Holyrood Road, the very same place where Rockstar North is located.
Emergency services were alerted at 5:02 AM GMT, with three fire appliances and four specialist vehicles dispatched to the scene. Firefighters worked to secure structural damage at the commercial building before departing at 9:21 AM, cordoning off the area with police remaining behind to secure the premises. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed in an official statement that crews "worked to secure structural damage at a commercial building," but did not specify the exact cause.
Thankfully, because the explosion occurred at 5:02 AM, the offices were reportedly empty with no "reported casualties". The news that all employees escaped harm is the most important takeaway here - which it would be under any circumstances really, but for a studio that has faced significant labor tensions in recent months, even more so.
Here's where things get speculative. Rockstar Games has not issued any statement regarding the incident. The immediate impact on GTA 6 development remains unknown. GTA 6 is currently scheduled for November 19, 2026, having already been pushed back twice from its original Fall 2025 window. Before anyone says it, this is almost certainly not enough to justify another delay.
If you've been following the game's dramatic release saga, we wouldn't blame you for being a tiny bit paranoid at this point - however, what's certain is that the explosion arrives during what has been an especially difficult stretch for Rockstar North and its Edinburgh workforce. Over 30 employees were fired late last year in a mass dismissal that Rockstar attributed to leaking confidential information about unannounced projects.
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has disputed that characterization, alleging the firings targeted employees who attempted to organize. The dispute has since escalated to an employment tribunal, drawn involvement from UK officials, and sparked protests outside the very building that now sits cordoned off by emergency services.
