On the morning of January 19, 2026, the Rockstar Games office in Edinburgh, Scotland, was the site of an unexpected and alarming event: a boiler explosion . The incident, occurring at Barclay House on Holyrood Road, where Rockstar North is located, has sparked concerns and raised questions about the safety and operations of one of the world’s most renowned video game developers .
The explosion, believed to be due to a malfunction in the boiler system, led to a swift response from emergency services, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who secured the area and assessed the structural damage . Despite the chaos, there were no reported casualties, and the offices were deemed safe .
The Rockstar North offices, home to the development of the highly anticipated GTA 6, were temporarily taped off by police as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident . The exact nature of the explosion was initially unclear, but reports confirmed that it originated from the boiler room .
In a statement, Rockstar North assured that despite the explosion, their operations remain fully functional. The studio continues to work on the much-awaited launch of GTA 6, which is still on schedule for November 2026 .
The incident highlights the unexpected challenges that even the most proactive companies can face. While the explosion caused temporary disruptions, the swift response from emergency services and the studio's resilience ensured minimal impact on their development timeline. As Rockstar North continues to work on GTA 6, fans worldwide can rest assured that the development remains on track, despite the recent setback .
