Rockstar Opened an Entire Studio to Work on GTA 6's NPCs

NPCs required a full studio to develop!

gta-6-npcs-on-boats
gta-6-npcs-on-boats

  • Primary Subject: GTA 6
  • Key Update: A new report reveals the resources invested in the development of GTA 6's NPCs.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: October 14, 2026
  • Quick Answer: The latest report from Bloomberg confirms that Rockstar had to open an entire studio solely to focus on GTA's NPCs.

We are almost a month away from the release of GTA 6, and more details about the game's long development have been surfacing in recent weeks.

Jason Schreier recently dropped a new feature on Bloomberg detailing everything he learned during his visit to Rockstar Games. The article mostly focuses on the game's development journey, and one of the subjects touched on is NPCs.

A busy beach scene with people sunbathing, playing, and walking. Two individuals in swimsuits are lounging on chairs, while others are enjoying various beach activities. An American flag is being carried in the background.
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Credit: Rockstar Games

As we know from trailers and previews, the world of GTA 6 is poised to be densely populated with NPCs, ranging in various aspects. The feature explains that when Rockstar was assessing the number of NPCs they needed to write and animate to meet their goals, they realized they didn't have the workforce for it.

"The projections they were giving us were horrifying," Rob Nelson, Rockstar North co-studio head, said when talking about what the studio needed to fulfill the ambitious NPC targets.

The solution? Rockstar built out a new studio in Los Angeles, hiring writers, producers, and directors to take on one single task: NPC development. This team's existence was reported back in August, but this new report solidifies it. In a world where major companies are starting to implement AI slop tools in their workflow to "cut prices", this is certainly so refreshing to hear.

This decision has certainly paid off, as it was previously revealed that the game's NPC will feature over 600,000 unique animations. This includes multiple reactions to what the player's character is doing.

READ MORE: How Do Safehouses Work in GTA 6? Customization, Supplies, & Activities Explained

After almost eight years in development and two delays, the game is almost out of the oven for everyone to enjoy. GTA 6 is scheduled to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

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