Rockstar Hiring for UX Research - GTA VI Playtesting To Start Soon?
A new job posting from Rockstar North suggests the studio is preparing to playtest GTA VI and gather feedback from real users, reinforcing their targeted Fall 2025 release.
Rockstar Games has recently posted a job listing for a Development Support role in UX Research, fueling speculation that Grand Theft Auto VI could be entering its final stages of development. The position, based at their Edinburgh studio, seeks a candidate to support the UX Research team, which conducts user experience testing for games and publishing projects across the company.
Why This Could Signal a Playable Build
The responsibilities outlined in the job posting suggest Rockstar is gearing up to test development builds of their projects with real users. Tasks for the position include finding and recruiting participants for UX research studies, preparing lab spaces for testing, and running development builds to assess content. This type of work typically occurs during the later stages of game development when studios refine gameplay mechanics, address usability issues, and ensure the overall player experience is polished.
While this doesn’t mean the game is complete, it does suggest Rockstar is entering the final stretch of its production pipeline, moving toward the intensive process of polishing and fine-tuning.
Aligning With a Fall 2025 Release
The idea of UX research ramping up aligns well with the targeted release timeline for GTA VI. Rockstar's parent company Take-Two recently reaffirmed Fall 2025 is still the expected launch period. If Rockstar is indeed testing the game now, it would provide plenty time for feedback-driven improvements and optimization.
This timeframe matches the typical cycle for AAA games, where testing begins once the core gameplay systems and assets are largely in place, and development shifts focus to balancing and quality assurance. By the time GTA VI hits the shelves, Rockstar would likely have spent over a decade crafting the game, ensuring it meets their high standards and fans' expectations.
What This Means for Fans
While the job posting does not explicitly mention Grand Theft Auto VI, it’s hard to imagine Rockstar dedicating this level of UX research to anything else at this time. This recruitment drive is another promising sign that the game is progressing steadily toward its highly anticipated release towards the end of 2025!
Job Spec
Here's the full job spec:
At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences.
Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.
This is a full-time, permanent and in-office position based in Rockstar’s state-of-the-art game development studio in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Rockstar is on the lookout for a talented Development Support who is highly organised and passionate about supporting the UX Research Department.
WHAT WE DO
- The Rockstar Games UX Research Team plan, execute, and drive user experience research activities for game and publishing projects across the company.
- We ensure every piece of research yields high quality, actionable findings.
- We contribute to the ongoing refinement of UX research at Rockstar, including methodological improvements, process development, and collaboration with other insights teams, such as Analytics and Consumer Insights.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Managing and executing the end-to-end process to find, screen, and recruit people who meet the desired profile to participate in UX research studies.
- Preparing and resetting lab spaces before and after testing takes place. Working with audio/video recording and streaming tech, including hardware like cameras, mics, and capture cards, and software like OBS.
- Helping assess and provide updates on content for testing. Will require running development builds and assisting with liaison with other departments.
- Taking team meeting notes and identifying action points.
- Creating and managing tasks on project management software.
- Assisting UX researchers with routine and ad hoc tasks in the process of preparing for and running studies, such as creating screenshot and video media to support report writing.
- Improving, expanding, and documenting workflows in the above areas over time.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors degree and/or ~1 year of experience in the games industry.
- Broad knowledge of video game genres and good all-round knowledge of present and past Rockstar titles.
SKILLS
- Organised, with strong time management skills.
- Detail-oriented and highly efficient.
- Clear written and verbal communication.
- Self-starter, pro-active, entrepreneurial spirit.
- Adaptable, good at picking up and adhering to processes.
- Able to work efficiently in a small, close-knit team, as well as collaborating with broader game development teams.
- Technical ability to install and run game builds, edit video content, and support with lab audio/video recording & streaming setups.
- Able to manage competing priorities and flag to teammates where needed.
PLUSES
Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.
- Experience working with game development teams.
- Experience working in research operations.
- Experience working in project management and/or production roles.
If you meet the criteria, why not apply.
Stay tuned for the latest GTA VI news as we creep inside the final year before launch!