Emergency services attended the Rockstar North headquarters in Edinburgh on Monday morning. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received an alert at 5:02 am. This incident occurred at the Holyrood Road office.
Crews arrived to find structural damage at the commercial building. Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and specialist resources. Firefighters worked to secure the site for several hours. They completed their tasks and left the scene at 9:21 am.
Details of the Incident
- The event took place on 19 January 2026.
- Authorities cordoned off the streets near Holyrood Road.
- The explosion originated within the boiler room.
- No individuals sustained injuries during the event.
Rockstar North headquarters in Edinburgh
Official Statement from Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games released a statement regarding the morning events. The company confirmed the cause of the explosion. They attributed the incident to a technical failure.
A spokesperson provided specific details to the media. “Early Monday morning, there was a malfunction in one of the heating boilers at Rockstar North,” the representative stated. The company expressed gratitude for the prompt emergency response.
Rockstar Games Announcement
The studio addressed the safety of its staff and the status of operations.
“Many thanks to those that reached out with concern, and also to the police and fire crews who were on scene quickly to assess the situation – please know that everyone is well and our studio remains open and operational.”
Impact on Grand Theft Auto VI Development
The Edinburgh studio serves as the primary hub for Grand Theft Auto VI. Fans expressed concern regarding the production timeline. The game has already faced two previous delays.
Rockstar Games originally planned a 2025 release. The company later moved the date to May 2026. Currently, the studio aims for a release on 19 November 2026. Management reports that development remains on track despite the explosion.
Development Timeline Facts
- Rockstar North leads the development of the Grand Theft Auto series.
- The studio also developed the Red Dead Redemption series.
- The current release date for GTA VI is 19 November 2026.
- Staff continued work on the project today.
Context of Studio Operations
The explosion follows a period of tension at the Edinburgh headquarters. Rockstar North dismissed over 30 employees in late 2025. This move sparked protests outside the Holyrood Road building.
The Independent Workers of Great Britain union challenged these dismissals. The union alleged that the company engaged in union-busting activities. Rockstar Games denied these claims. They cited breaches of company policy and data leaks as reasons for the terminations.
Protest outside Rockstar North Edinburgh headquarters
Recent Studio History
- Rockstar North employs between 500 and 1,000 people.
- The studio moved to its current location in 2014.
- A judge recently denied a bid for interim relief for fired workers.
- The office remains the heart of Rockstar’s creative operations.
Safety and Structural Assessment
Firefighters assessed the structural integrity of the building throughout the morning. Police Scotland maintained a cordon to allow for investigations. The early hour of the explosion prevented potential casualties.
Most employees had not yet arrived for the workday. The building sustained limited damage. Maintenance teams now oversee the repair of the heating system. Operations resumed within the office shortly after the crews departed.
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Safety Measures Taken
- SFRS secured the structural damage.
- Police monitored the perimeter.
- Maintenance staff inspected the remaining boilers.
- The building reopened to staff during the afternoon.
Future Outlook for Rockstar North
The studio continues its work on the most anticipated entertainment product in history. Analysts expect Grand Theft Auto VI to break sales records. The fire incident appears as a minor setback in the project cycle.
Rockstar North maintains its schedule for the November launch. The company will provide further updates if conditions change. This event highlights the importance of the Edinburgh facility to the global games industry.
