It’s Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and if you’re a Grand Theft Auto fan, yesterday’s news from Edinburgh probably gave you a heart attack. A reported “explosion” at the Rockstar North headquarters had everyone thinking GTA 6 was going to be pushed back into the 2030s. Or nothing.
The thing is, it wasn’t a heist or a hack. It was a boiler. A literal heating boiler malfunctioned around 5:00 AM on Monday, January 19, triggering an emergency response that looked a lot like a scene from Los Santos.1 Those too.
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The “Boiler Blast” at Rockstar: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where fans are terrified of any tiny setback, given the game’s history. Here’s the ground reality:
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The Response: Six fire engines were dispatched to the Holyrood Road office.2 The thing is, there was “structural damage” to the boiler room, but no one was hurt.3
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The “Open” Sign: By 9:21 AM, the fire crews were gone.4 Rockstar issued a statement to IGN and GamesIndustry.biz saying the studio is “open and operational.” The thing is, they’re trying to kill the delay rumors before they start.5
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The Reality Check: And here’s the kicker—GTA 6 is already delayed.6 According to official updates from November 2025, the game is currently slated for November 19, 2026.7 Not 2025. Or nothing. Let’s be real, Rockstar parent Take-Two moved the window months ago to “ensure polish.”
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Internal Tensions: This incident happened right in the middle of a messy legal battle between Rockstar and the IWGB union over the firing of 31 staff members last year.8 Morale is reportedly “at rock bottom.”9 Those too.
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GTA 6 Development Tracker: Jan 2026
| Status Field | Current Detail | The “Ground” Reality |
| Release Date | November 19, 2026 | Twice delayed (from late 2025). |
| Studio Status | Operational | Boiler fixed; minimal work disruption. |
| Platforms | PS5 / Xbox Series X/S | PC version remains “unconfirmed” for launch. |
| Development | Final “Polish” Phase | Employees back in office full-time. |
| Market Odds | 44% Bet on Another Delay | Polymarket users are skeptical. |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The thing is, while Rockstar says “everything is fine,” industry analysts are nervous.10 The Edinburgh office is the heart of the franchise.11 Even a few days of structural assessment can throw off a “master gold” milestone. Or nothing.
One side comment—the internet is already making memes about how we got a boiler explosion before Trailer 2. It’s an ongoing situation where the hype is so high that a literal radiator leak becomes global news. Those too.
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End…
