Former Rockstar QA Tester Says He Won’t Buy GTA 6 Because It Brings Back Painful Memories

A former Rockstar Games quality assurance tester has revealed that he does not plan to buy Grand Theft Auto VI, despite spending years helping develop the highly anticipated game. Jack Hoxby, one of the QA employees dismissed during Rockstar's controversial 2025 layoffs, admitted that the game now carries too much emotional weight for him, saying it reminds him of the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure from the studio.

Speaking in a recent interview, Hoxby explained that he is unsure whether he will ever play GTA 6. Although he dedicated years to testing the project, he said purchasing the game would be emotionally difficult. "I definitely don't think I will buy it," he said, adding that even if he eventually tries the game, it may simply "bring back too much." His comments reflect the personal impact that the layoffs have had on employees who contributed to one of the biggest games in Rockstar's history.

Hoxby was among approximately 30 Rockstar employees dismissed during a dispute linked to unionization efforts. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accused Rockstar of targeting workers involved in organizing a union, while Rockstar has consistently denied those allegations, stating that the dismissals were related to the alleged disclosure of confidential company information rather than union activity. The dispute is now the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the UK, with former employees continuing to challenge the company's actions.

Despite his decision not to purchase Grand Theft Auto VI, Hoxby said he remains proud of the work he and his former colleagues contributed during development. His story highlights the human side of modern AAA game development, where years of creative effort can become intertwined with difficult workplace experiences. As GTA 6 approaches its November 19, 2026 release, the ongoing legal dispute and union recognition campaign continue to cast a shadow over one of the most anticipated launches in gaming history.