GTA 6 North Studio in Edinburgh
Police and fire services cordoned off the Edinburgh offices of Rockstar North, the lead development studio for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, following a reported explosion on Monday morning. Emergency services responded swiftly, and no casualties have been reported.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed they received a call at 5:02 AM local time on January 19th and dispatched a significant response team to Holyrood Road. The area, including Barclay House which houses Rockstar North, was taped off as crews assessed the situation.
Initial local reports suggest the incident may have been linked to an explosion in a boiler room, though authorities have not yet confirmed an official cause. A spokesperson for SFRS stated it was an “ongoing incident” and that crews remained on scene for several hours alongside other emergency agencies. The scene was declared safe and services left at approximately 9:21 AM.
Rockstar North is a cornerstone of the global gaming industry. Originally founded as DMA Design in 1988, the studio is famed for creating the Grand Theft Auto series and was a key developer on Red Dead Redemption 2. The team is currently in the final stages of developing the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for release in November 2026.
The incident has naturally raised concerns within the gaming community given the studio’s pivotal role. However, the prompt emergency response and the report of no injuries are positive signs. The studio’s location in a modern commercial building, previously home to The Scotsman newspaper, is in a central area of the Scottish capital.
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Development timelines for major projects like GTA VI are complex, and while an incident at the primary studio is serious, the full impact—if any—on the game’s development is currently unknown. The priority remains the safety and well-being of the staff and first responders.
This is a developing story, and further updates from local authorities or Rockstar Games are expected in due course.