Rockstar Games has appeared on the UK government’s 2026 list of employers who failed to pay the National Minimum Wage.
The Grand Theft Auto developer was listed for underpaying five workers a total of £1,396.73 (approx. $1,800) at its Edinburgh studio.
Rockstar North owner appears on HMRC enforcement list
Rockstar Games UK Limited, the legal entity behind Rockstar North, appeared on the HMRC list published on March 19. The underpayment concerns staff at the Holyrood Road office in Edinburgh, and the company has been ordered to repay the amount, along with penalties.
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The underpayment averages around $372.65 per worker and falls within the typical range of minor payroll discrepancies that HMRC identifies and names during its routine enforcement rounds.
Rockstar North is the primary UK studio for Rockstar Games. It’s the lead developer for the Grand Theft Auto series, currently heading development on Grand Theft Auto VI, which is scheduled for release in November 2026.
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Rockstar has not commented on the underpayments. The company previously responded to other issues at the same studio, including staff dismissals in late 2025.
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The incident comes amid broader UK enforcement, which saw hundreds of employers named and over £7 million (approx. $9 million) to be repaid to workers in the latest round.
An explosion was reported at the same Rockstar North building earlier this year, prompting a police cordon and an emergency services response.