Is 'GTA 6' Delayed After Explosion Scare At Rockstar's Edinburgh Studio?

Panic briefly swept through the gaming world after reports of an explosion at Rockstar North, the Edinburgh studio behind Grand Theft Auto VI, began circulating online. For fans already anxiously counting down to Rockstar's most anticipated release, the news triggered instant fears of yet another delay.

Emergency services were dispatched to Rockstar North's Holyrood Road office at 5:02am, with police cordoning off the area and fire crews arriving with three engines and specialist units. Early reports suggested a blast from inside the building, with some claiming it originated in a boiler room. Firefighters remained on site for more than four hours, inspecting the premises for structural damage and safety risks.

By mid-morning, the situation became clearer. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the incident involved a malfunctioning heating boiler, not an explosion. Crews worked alongside multiple agencies and left the scene at 9:21am. No injuries were reported, and the building sustained only minimal impact.

Rockstar Games quickly reassured fans. In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed that“there was a malfunction in one of the heating boilers at Rockstar North,” adding that everyone was safe and the studio remained“open and fully operational.” Staff returned the same day, and development continued as normal.

The intense reaction wasn't surprising. Rockstar North is one of the most important studios in gaming history, having shaped every major Grand Theft Auto title and led development on Red Dead Redemption. Combined with recent reports of layoffs and labour tensions, the initial use of the word“explosion” struck a nerve across social media.

Crucially, there is no indication that the incident will affect GTA 6. Rockstar has confirmed there are no changes to the development timeline, and the game remains on track for its November 19, 2026, release.

In short, there was no explosion, thankfully, no delay, and more importantly, no injuries.

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