Grand Theft Auto 6 NDAs are so strict some developers will stay silent for life

Former Rockstar developers are still shackled by NDAs that can last up to 10 years - and in some cases, for life - making it nearly impossible to discuss the inner workings of the esteemed developer or any of the underlying technology powering its titles.

KiwiTalkz, a well-known game journalist, recently shared on X that many devs who respond to his questions either provide vague answers or outright decline to comment on potential legal ramifications. One former Rockstar developer told KiwiTalkz that even after a decade, they couldn't speak on specifics without risking legal repercussions. "Speaking about the RAGE Engine in any type of detail is an absolute no-no," the source said.

Rockstar has long been known for its aggressive legal tactics and tight-lipped culture, and these NDAs ensure that even after a project concludes, the details remain buried. And for good reason, too. Rockstar controls some of the most valuable video game IP on the planet, and part of the excitement fans have for Rockstar's projects is the lack of information the developer provides.

While a lack of leaks is certainly in Rockstar's interest, these NDAs also complicate the work of journalists such as myself, KiwiTalkz, and industry analysts who are trying to piece together what made games like Grand Theft Auto V or Red Dead Redemption 2 such technical and creative successes.

Unfortunately, Rockstar developers who worked on successful titles may not be able to talk about the inner workings of the engine and its upgrades, even if they wanted to, meaning we will likely never find out what and why developers made certain decisions that led to what Rockstar fans might enjoy the most.