Rockstar Games, the developers for GTA 6 has confirmed that everyone at the Rockstar North office is safe following a boiler malfunction at its Edinburgh studio.
In a statement to IGN, a company spokesperson said: “Early Monday morning, there was a malfunction in one of the heating boilers at Rockstar North. Many thanks to those that reached out with concern, and also to the police and fire crews who were on scene quickly to assess the situation please know that everyone is well and our studio remains open and operational.”
The studio has since reopened, suggesting the structural damage initially referenced by emergency services was minimal.
Emmanuel Umahi
What happened
Earlier reports from Edinburgh Live and The Herald stated that emergency crews were called to Rockstar North’s Holyrood Road office around 5:02 a.m. on January 19 following reports of an explosion.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they dispatched three fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene, where firefighters worked to secure structural damage to a commercial building. No injuries were reported, and crews left by 9:21 a.m.
While the exact cause wasn’t immediately clear, local outlets cited early indications pointing to an explosion in a boiler room.
Context
The incident comes during ongoing legal proceedings between Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, which represents 31 former Rockstar employees dismissed last year. Rockstar alleges the employees leaked confidential project information, while the union has accused the company of union busting. Rockstar North’s offices were previously the site of a protest in November.
There is currently no indication that the boiler incident is connected to those events.
The Takeaway
The situation at Rockstar North was serious enough to prompt an emergency response, but the outcome appears routine rather than disruptive. With no injuries and the studio already back in operation, development including work on GTA 6 remains unaffected.
Emmanuel Umahi
