Latest news with #RockstarNorth
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Scotland bucks trend with 'substantial' games industry growth
Figures show employment in the sector in Scotland has doubled over the last 10 years. The statistics also show that there were 130 computer game enterprises in Scotland in 2024, compared to just 15 in 2010 – a 766.67% increase. READ MORE: Martin Compston says Unionist abuse made him stop independence posts In 2022 the industry had a turnover of £339.7 million, compared to profits of £38.1m made in 2010 – a 791.6% increase. The data also showed that there had been a 103.3% increase in the number of staff working in the industry (including additional PAYE units), up from 1,045 in 2015 to 2,125 in 2023. With the sector globally experiencing significant jobs losses and changes to job patterns, Scotland's computer game industry is bucking the trend. Commenting, SNP MSP for Dundee City West, Joe FitzPatrick, said: 'At a time when the computer games industry is struggling globally, thanks to SNP investment, Scotland is bucking the trend. 'Scotland was the first part of the UK to develop a video games strategy to support the industry and invests in exhibiting Scottish-built games across the world. 'Our world-leading computer game developers, including those based in Dundee, are thriving thanks to a unique blend of government support, creativity, innovation, and talent.' READ MORE: TransPennine Express to run up to 3 additional services during Edinburgh Fringe Rockstar North, a computer game studio based in Edinburgh and set up as DMA Design by Dundonian David Jones, is arguably the most notable firm in the Scottish industry. The company are behind the Grand Theft Auto series, including Grand Theft Auto V – the second-best selling video game and reportedly most profitable entertainment product of all time. FitzPatrick continued: 'From globally recognised studios to bold new start-ups, this is an industry that not only creates economic value but connects people across the world and brings opportunity to Scotland.'
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ex-Rockstar developer predicts GTA 7 will be cheaper due to AI; here's 4 game-changing ways GTA 6 might use AI
GTA 6 fans have been eagerly waiting for the game to release for over a year now, amid ever-growing speculations and rumours online. While we have not yet seen the final version of GTA 6, rumours have already started circulating about its potential successor (could be named GTA 7) being cheaper to develop than the current version, says an ex-Rockstar Games developer. Obbe Vermeij, the former technical director of Rockstar North, has predicted that Rockstar Games might have to spend less on Grand Theft Auto VII as compared to GTA 6 due to the advancement in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, it seems the predictions made by Vermej don't make an impact on the fans, as there is no such confirmation by Rockstar Games on the same yet, and more information is required to come to a conclusion. Former Rockstar Games developer predicts GTA 7 may have a lower budget than GTA 6 On July 3, the ex-Rockstar Games developer participated in an interview at a YouTube channel called KIWI TALKZ, where he shared that GTA 7 might be cheaper to develop than the upcoming instalment. He said, 'My prediction is that GTA 7 will be cheaper to make than GTA 6…we'll have to wait 15 years to see if I'm right or not.' 'I would imagine that let's say you do a cutscene, you could just, uh, you know, all the characters in the cutscene could just be rendered by an AI, including the conversation, if you just describe the scene. That could be your first pass of a cutscene,' he added. "gta7 will be cheaper to make than gta6"I had a fun chat with @kiwitalkz that just dropped: However, there is no such confirmation or statement released by Rockstar Games yet. But let's look into the 4 ways how GTA 6 could AI-in the game content. 4 ways GTA 6 could use AI for in-game content 1. Realistic radio hosts: GTA's iconic radio stations and news bulletins could be powered by AI to reflect what's happening in the game version. 2. Smarter NCP behaviour: AI can make non-playable characters (NCPs) far more realistic; instead of using pre-written dialogue, GTA 6 could employ AI-driven natural language to generate dynamic. 3. Generate buildings: AI can dynamically generate buildings and interiors in GTA 6, allowing each neighbourhood to feel unique and responsive to the player's actions or in-game events. 4. AI-generated missions and side quests: Rather than relying solely on scripted missions, AI could generate procedural missions based on the player's decisions, reputation, or location. This could lead to an endless stream of personalised quests that feel meaningful, unpredictable, and unique to each player.
Edinburgh Reporter
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
From Leith to the App Store: Edinburgh Graduates Building the Next Big Mobile Games
In 2025, Edinburgh has matured to become one of the UK's top game development hubs. Video games now add over £5 billion to Scotland's economy, powered by hundreds of studios and thousands of professionals. Many come from the city's universities, where game design and interactive media courses spark innovation. Leith-based Glitchers stands out with Sea Hero Quest, a mobile game that aids dementia research through player data. Accordingly, new developers are building on this momentum, launching startups focused on social impact and user engagement. Although giants like Rockstar North—recipient of £73 million in tax relief in 2023—remain prominent, real innovation often comes from small teams exploring new mobile mechanics. In May 2025, Glitchers received part of a £100,000 funding round to expand health-focused titles. Backed by strong academic roots and a vibrant startup scene, Edinburgh could drive mobile gaming's future in the UK and beyond. Young man paying a mobile game at home. Smart phone gaming Customisation as a Core Design Pillar In the past, games gave you limited control over characters or interfaces; now, customisation is central to game design. Developers from Edinburgh's universities lead this shift, creating titles that let you modify visuals, behaviours, tools and sound. Take Yaldi Games' Wholesome, a mobile game where you craft, explore and personalise a simulated countryside. Your choices on layout, aesthetics and play rhythm make the experience feel tailored rather than pre-packaged. These choices drive how you connect with the game: when you personalise gameplay—like deciding how a farm looks or tackling challenges—you become more invested in your progress. The same approach is now common in casino-style mobile games, where adjustable visuals, personal dashboards and adaptive difficulty give you control. Between changing background colours, selecting sound design or rearranging tools, each choice becomes a form of expression. This turns you from a user into a collaborator, dictating the game in real time. Weapons, Loadouts and Expression Weapons and tools in games have long been functional; however, now they express style and personality. Edinburgh-developed mobile titles focus on modular loadouts, letting you customise both appearance and mechanics, no matter if it's a shooter's weapon or a puzzle game's feature. This approach, adapted for mobile's need for quick interaction and clarity, makes your game unique even if the objectives stay the same. Casino apps use similar ideas—you can adjust spin animations, set win sounds or build profiles that unwind with your play history. These features draw from custom loadout concepts pioneered by Edinburgh-trained designers; instead of treating you as a passive player, developers see you as a co-creator of the experience. It has moved beyond luck or skill, becoming about your personal style and choices. This blend of utility and flair keeps you engaged and coming back for more. Tech and Talent in Sync For these innovations to run smoothly, hardware must support them. Today's developers understand that game performance hinges as much on the device as on the code. Graphics, loading speed, frame rates and battery usage all influence whether a player feels immersed or frustrated. If you've wondered how to optimize phone for gaming, the answer lies in both the phone's specs and how the software is built. Edinburgh-based teams account for these constraints, building lightweight code and offering scalable features that maintain performance across multiple devices. Meanwhile, the city's universities and accelerators continue to train the next generation of game developers, with work supported by funding bodies that recognise the economic and cultural value of interactive media. New studios are emerging each year with fresh ideas about how to make mobile gaming more immersive, inclusive and intelligent. As personalisation continues to reinvent how games are played, Edinburgh's influence will only expand. You can expect future titles to focus even more on user choice as the driving force behind game design. In this model, your preferences enhance and define the experience. Replay Value and Player Identity Replayability used to mean unlocking new levels or harder difficulties. Today, it means discovering different versions of the game through your own behaviour. Edinburgh-based developers have focused on systems that adapt to the individual. No matter if that's a narrative path that shifts based on your responses or a daily challenge that aligns with your preferences, the idea is to keep the game fresh each time it's played. This approach relies on subtle variability—small changes in layout, task or reward that emerge organically based on how you interact with the game. Casino platforms are starting to implement similar frameworks, tracking the kinds of games you play, your preferred wager levels and the frequency of your sessions. With that information, the app reinvents itself, offering bonuses or visuals that suit your habits. That kind of variability, which began in mobile adventure and strategy games from Edinburgh studios, now helps even simple games maintain attention spans in a crowded market. These systems make each session feel new, even if the game's structure remains unchanged. Key Takeaways Edinburgh's game development sector has grown into a major UK hub, contributing to Scotland's £5 billion gaming economy. Graduates from local universities fuel innovation, with studios like Glitchers leading health-focused mobile games such as Sea Hero Quest. Customisation, modular design and adaptive gameplay—pioneered by Edinburgh teams—are recasting mobile and casino gaming, emphasising player choice and identity. Supported by strong academic programmes and significant funding, Edinburgh continues to produce immersive, personalised games that perform well across devices, securing its position in the future of mobile gaming. Scotland's gaming value : Scotland's creative industries—including video games—contribute over £5 billion annually to the national economy. : Scotland's creative industries—including video games—contribute over annually to the national economy. Development businesses and jobs : The UK's gaming sector includes roughly 2,555 active game businesses and employs around 75,000 people, with the Scottish portion mirroring national trends. : The UK's gaming sector includes roughly active game businesses and employs around people, with the Scottish portion mirroring national trends. Rockstar North tax relief : Edinburgh-based Rockstar North claimed approximately £73 million in Video Games Tax Relief in 2024. : Edinburgh-based Rockstar North claimed approximately in Video Games Tax Relief in 2024. Rockstar cumulative tax relief : Over the past decade, Rockstar North has claimed over £330 million in tax relief through the UK's VGTR scheme. : Over the past decade, Rockstar North has claimed in tax relief through the UK's VGTR scheme. Sea Hero Quest reach: Developed by Leith's Glitchers, 'Sea Hero Quest' engaged 4.3 million players by October 2021, delivering data equivalent to 17,600 years of lab-based dementia research. Like this: Like Related
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
GTA 6 companion app in the works? Rockstar Games job post raises questions
Rockstar Games may be planning to release a mobile companion app alongside the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). The speculation comes after fans observed a job listing on the company's careers page, which suggests that the studio is seeking mobile app developers with expertise in iOS or Android platforms. Rockstar Games may develop a GTA 6 companion app, as hinted by a new job listing.(Rockstar Games) The job posting, which appears on Rockstar North's career page, calls for candidates with experience in mobile application development. Although the description does not directly reference GTA 6, the timing and location of the listing have led fans to connect it to the much-anticipated game. Rockstar North is believed to be at the centre of GTA 6's development, which makes it unlikely the position is related to a different project. Rockstar Games has previously released mobile companion apps for earlier titles like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. Those apps allowed players to access maps, track stats, and manage in-game items. However, critics noted that the features were somewhat limited and missed opportunities for deeper integration. Shifts in Mobile App Strategy Among Developers In recent years, several game companies have stepped back from companion apps. Blizzard, for example, discontinued its World of Warcraft app. Despite this, some developers are still finding ways to include companion features. Nintendo recently integrated Zelda Notes into its Switch app, which shows that interest in mobile add-ons persists. Also read: Mafia: The Old Country releasing on 8 August, 2025: Here's everything you need to know The possible move by Rockstar indicates a carry on interest in enhancing the gameplay experience beyond the main console or PC interface. The studio could be exploring new ways for players to stay connected with the game world through their smartphones or tablets. Fan Theories on Possible Features On the other hand, the gaming community on Reddit has proposed several ideas about how a GTA 6 companion app might function. One common theory suggests the app could simulate the in-game smartphone seen in trailers. This feature might allow players to receive non-player character (NPC) messages and calls on their real devices. Others speculate that the app could support the fictional social media platform featured in GTA 6, which lets users post and engage with content related to their in-game activities. Also read: Microsoft launches Xbox Copilot beta on Android app to assist gamers with real-time support Although these ideas have generated discussion, the practicality of implementing such features remains uncertain. Developing a companion app with real-time integration could require additional resources and may not align with the game's primary production goals. No Official Confirmation Yet At present, Rockstar Games has not made any announcements regarding a companion app for GTA 6. While the job listing hints at possible developments, no direct link has been confirmed. Until official details emerge, speculation about the companion app remains based on interpretation and prior patterns. As the release of GTA 6 draws closer, fans are eagerly monitoring every Rockstar's updates and job postings for any indication of new features. Whether the companion app becomes a reality or not, the possibility has added another layer of interest around one of the gaming industry's most closely followed titles. Mobile finder: Google Pixel 9 Pro LATEST price, specs and all details
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Everything we know about the alleged development of the GTA 6 companion App
Image via Rockstar Games. At this moment, fans just need the slightest of hints from any way possible to speculate a new theory about GTA 6, and the recent rumor about a dedicated companion app is just the latest addition to that. Since GTA 6 Trailer 2 dropped, there has been nothing but new theories and speculations everyday as fans are leaving no opportunity to entice the game. For example: fans were seen building the same house as Jason's in various other games, on the other hand, many fans found uncanny resemblance with GTA: Vice City. GTA 6 rumored to feature a companion app The trend of companion apps is slowly fading day by day. Not only does it keep a note of all your in-game possessions, like cosmetics, stats, quests, and more, it also gives an enhanced experience outside the game itself. Many major franchises feature this aspect like Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and many more. Now it seems GTA 6 will be following the same path as well. This round of speculation began when Rockstar North posted a job listing on its website seeking employees for the role of Mobile Engineer. According to the listing, the role demands the understanding of iOS and Android app development to maintain Rockstar's mobile platform. GTA VI Companion App by u/Gerald19901 in GTA6 There are companion apps for GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, and official mobile ports of various Rockstar titles like GTA: San Andreas, Max Payne, Bully, and many more. But none of them needs any sudden update. So, the job listing for a mobile app developer points straight towards a potential GTA 6 companion app. And as we are less than a year away from the launch of this highly anticipated title, this speculation finds a more solid base. However, nothing is official and Rockstar is yet to announce if there will be any companion app for the game. But having a dedicated companion app with enhanced features than the contemporaries would be actually great. Players will be able to stay connected with the game even when they are not on their main system by picking virtual calls and messages from the NPCs through the app. Or maybe players will be able to sync their music library via this app to listen to their favorite song in the rumored Spotify-like music streaming service in the game . Read More: Tommy Vercetti's iconic mansion possibly spotted in GTA 6 trailer Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
