Former Rockstar Developer Praises GTA 6 Conspiracy Theories and Studio’s Silent Marketing Strategy
A former Rockstar Games developer has shared his amusement over the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6, asserting that current employees at the studio are likely enjoying the community’s speculative frenzy.
Rockstar unveiled the first trailer for GTA 6 in December 2023, smashing viewership records. However, the studio has released no new assets in the year since, fueling increasingly bizarre fan theories about the timing of GTA 6 Trailer 2.
Speculations have included analyzing the number of holes in Lucia’s cell door net, bullet holes in the car from Trailer 1, and even registration plates, as fans scour for clues. Among the most talked-about theories is the so-called “moon watch,” which accurately predicted the announcement date for Trailer 1 but failed to reveal any insights about Trailer 2’s release date.
Mike York, a former animator at Rockstar New England who contributed to Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 during his six-year tenure, expressed his admiration for the fan frenzy on his YouTube channel. He believes the developers at Rockstar are equally entertained by the speculation.
“All the developers over there are geeking out about it, trust me,” York said. “When I was there, we’d talk about fans finding these mysteries, and everyone would be like, ‘Oh yeah, we saw that!’”
York also suggested that Rockstar may intentionally stoke the speculation by maintaining a shroud of silence around GTA 6, deliberately avoiding any announcements about Trailer 2 to heighten fan intrigue.
“Fans are reaching, pulling, and crafting these theories to decipher the next trailer’s release,” York explained. “Rockstar is incredibly secretive, and it’s a brilliant tactic because it builds allure, mystery, and keeps people talking without the studio having to do much. The longer they stay silent, the more anticipation grows.”
York believes Rockstar resists fan pressure to announce Trailer 2’s release date for precisely this reason.
“They could just say, ‘Here’s the date,’ but they don’t. And that’s intentional—it’s a fantastic marketing strategy. It creates excitement and brings fans together, building hype during the silence between updates.”
When asked whether Rockstar might hide real clues in games like GTA Online—as the “moon theory” suggested—York expressed skepticism.
“A lot of these things are just trolls,” he said. “They’re mysteries that lead nowhere, designed to spark a chase or an adventure for fans. Even if there’s no actual payoff, it keeps the community engaged and passionate.”
York marveled at the sheer dedication fans pour into their theories, adding, “It’s amazing to see people invest hours crafting such elaborate ideas. It shows how much passion they have for this franchise.”
Despite the year-long wait for new details, GTA 6 is still on track for a fall 2025 release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Take-Two Interactive. Many are hopeful Rockstar will break its silence soon, though the studio’s calculated quietness remains a testament to its masterful marketing strategy.
