GTA 6: Rockstar's Garbut on the 2022 leak, “really weirdly invasive”
In Bloomberg's studio visit, a senior Rockstar developer describes the emotional toll of seeing unfinished GTA VI work spread online in 2022.
Rockstar North's Aaron Garbut says the 2022 GTA VI leak felt “really weirdly invasive”, in remarks to Bloomberg relayed by Kotaku, Vice and Insider Gaming around October 16, 2026. It is one of the first times a senior Rockstar developer has described, in personal terms, what it was like to see unfinished work spread online.
What was said
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Garbut calls the 2022 leak “really weirdly invasive” | Reliable report (Bloomberg, via Kotaku, Vice, Insider Gaming) |
| He compares it to someone wading through your dirty washing | Reliable report (phrasing varies: “laundry” in some outlets) |
| It was emotionally hard to deal with | Reliable report |
| The leak was a hack of Rockstar's systems in September 2022 | Official (Rockstar statement, 2022) |
Why it matters
Early footage showed work in progress: unfinished models and placeholder ideas that were never meant to be judged. Garbut's point is that the team felt exposed, not that the game changed. That makes the comments useful context for the newer wave of leaks that started in August 2026, which Rockstar called “heartbreaking” for the team. See our leaks tracker for the full timeline, kept spoiler-free.
What it does not tell us
This is not new information about the game, its content or its release. We do not link to or describe any leaked material. The exact quotes differ slightly between outlets, so treat paraphrases with care and check Bloomberg's original piece.
What it means for players
Nothing changes for launch: November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. If you want to avoid spoilers, the studio's reaction is a good reminder of why. More from the same Bloomberg reporting: narrower roads and no one knows everything. The full picture is in the release date guide.
FAQ
Who spoke about the 2022 GTA 6 leak?
Aaron Garbut of Rockstar North, in an interview for Bloomberg's recent reporting from the studio (Jason Schreier). Outlets such as Kotaku, Vice and Insider Gaming relayed his remarks around October 16, 2026.
What did he say exactly?
That the leak felt “really weirdly invasive” and was hard to deal with emotionally, like someone going through your private belongings. The exact phrasing differs between outlets, so check Bloomberg for the original.
Does this confirm anything new about the leaks?
No. It is a personal reflection on the 2022 hack, not new information about the 2026 leaks or the game's content.
When does GTA 6 launch?
November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Sources
- Kotaku — GTA 6 lead reacts to the infamous 2022 leak (Oct 16, 2026)
- Vice — Rockstar responds to GTA 6 leaks, explains why they hurt so much (Oct 16, 2026)
- Insider Gaming — Original GTA 6 leaks were “weirdly invasive” (Oct 16, 2026)
- iXBT Games — GTA VI artist talks about the consequences of the 2022 leak (Oct 16, 2026)
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