Emergency services were called to the headquarters of Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar North in Edinburgh, Scotland, early Monday morning after reports of an explosion in the building.
GTA 6 development studio damaged after reported Boiler Blast
Firefighters worked at the scene for several hours to contain what officials described as “structural damage” to the property.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was alerted just after 5.02am local time and sent several fire engines and specialist vehicles to the Holyrood Road office. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours before leaving once the area was deemed safe.
Initial reports from local media suggested that the incident may have been caused by an “explosion in the boiler room”, although official confirmation of the exact cause has yet to be provided by the authorities. Police Scotland also closed off the surrounding area to allow emergency services to carry out checks and enquiries.
According to information from the fire department and local intelligence services, no casualties or injuries were reported in connection with the explosion. The early hour of the incident, before the start of the working day, probably contributed to the fact that no employees or members of the public were harmed.
What is Rockstar North?
Rockstar North is the primary studio behind the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6, which has been in development for several years and has already faced numerous release delays. The game’s current launch date is set for November 19, 2026, having been pushed back from earlier windows in 2025 and the first half of 2026.
Fans and industry observers have expressed concern on social media about the impact the incident could have on the game’s development timeline, although neither Rockstar Games nor its parent company Take-Two Interactive have officially indicated that it will affect the work schedule or release date.
The Edinburgh studio has been in the spotlight for other reasons recently. At the end of 2025, the company faced criticism after more than 30 employees were laid off, with some former employees and unions claiming the moves were aimed at discouraging unionization. Rockstar and Take-Two said the terminations were due to violations of company policy and issues with leaked information.
Local political leaders and Labor also got involved, highlighting wider concerns about the rights of workers in the games industry. These debates have continued alongside the widespread anticipation of GTA 6, which is expected to be one of the biggest video game releases in recent history when it finally arrives.
At this stage emergency services are continuing to investigate the cause of the reported explosion and the building remains closed while assessments are carried out. Fans of the franchise and locals alike are waiting for more official updates from both the authorities and Rockstar Games.
