Rockstar Games Grants Terminally Ill Fan’s Wish to Play GTA 6
In December, a story emerged that captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. Anthony Armstrong, a developer at Ubisoft Toronto, shared a deeply emotional message on LinkedIn. His family member, battling cancer for years, had recently received devastating news: a prognosis of just 6-12 months to live.
A lifelong fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, Armstrong’s family member was heartbroken at the prospect of missing the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a game they had eagerly anticipated for years. Knowing the timeline, Armstrong reached out to Rockstar Games, hoping against hope for a chance to fulfill his family member’s dream.
A Plea Heard by Rockstar
Armstrong’s LinkedIn post detailed his family member’s situation and their proximity to Rockstar’s Oakville studio. He humbly requested an exclusive playtest, understanding the need for secrecy and offering to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The post quickly gained traction, resonating with the gaming community and sparking widespread support.
Here’s the original plea, as shared by Armstrong:
To any of my connections at Rockstar Games and Rockstar Toronto, or anyone else that may be able to help. A member of my family who has been battling cancer for years just recently got the worst possible news, he was given 6 – 12 months to live. The reason I’m reaching out is that they are a huge GTA fan and, with this latest update, he may not be around long enough to actually get to see GTA 6 launch, best case scenario he will be leaving us the same month it does. He currently lives only a stone’s throw from the Oakville studio, so it’s my hope that one of you may be able to set up an exclusive playtest, so he can have a chance to experience the game, before passing. I absolutely understand the need for secrecy at this point of development, so at the very least an NDA is probably needed.
A Positive Response and a Deleted Post
Weeks later, Armstrong updated his post with incredible news. Take-Two’s CEO had reached out, and discussions with the Rockstar team were underway. Finally, he announced, “We spoke to them today and got great news. That’s all I can really say, but thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
The original LinkedIn post was subsequently deleted, likely due to legal considerations surrounding the early access granted. However, screenshots of the post were captured and circulated online, preserving the story for those who hadn’t seen it initially. You can still find cached versions of the post on Google here.
Rockstar’s History of Compassion
This isn’t the first time Rockstar Games has demonstrated such compassion. In 2018, a terminally ill gamer was granted early access to Red Dead Redemption 2. Other developers, like Bethesda Game Studios, have also honored fans by immortalizing them within their games, such as in Fallout 4 and Starfield.
A PR Win or Genuine Kindness?
The gesture has sparked debate online. While some view it as a positive PR move, particularly given recent controversies surrounding the game’s development, others see it as a genuinely heartwarming act of kindness. Regardless of the motivation, the outcome is undeniably positive, bringing joy to a fan in their final months.
What are your thoughts? Share your opinion on the Insider Gaming Discord server!
Further Reading:
- Rust’s Director Offers $25 Million to Keep New World Alive – Insider Gaming
- Kouji Okada Joins New Game Project – Insider Gaming
