Rockstar Grants Dying Fan's Wish to Play GTA 6 Early

Sometimes the biggest companies remember that behind every screen is a real person with real dreams.

Anthony Armstrong, a developer at Ubisoft Toronto, faced an impossible situation last month. His family member, a devoted Grand Theft Auto fan battling cancer for years, received devastating news: 6 to 12 months to live. The timing was cruel because GTA 6 wasn't scheduled to release until November 2026.

Armstrong took a chance and posted a heartfelt plea on LinkedIn. He asked anyone connected to Rockstar Games if they could arrange a private playtest for his relative, who lived just minutes from the Oakville studio. He acknowledged the need for secrecy and offered to sign any necessary agreements.

The gaming community rallied around the request, sharing and resharing Armstrong's post. Within weeks, something remarkable happened. The CEO of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, personally reached out to Armstrong's family.

After coordinating with the Rockstar team, Armstrong shared his final update: "We spoke to them today and got great news." Out of respect for the family's privacy and the game's confidentiality, he couldn't share details. But the message was clear: Rockstar had said yes.

Sunny's Take

This story reminds us that compassion doesn't have an expiration date, and neither does human kindness. In an industry often criticized for corporate coldness, Rockstar and Take-Two chose to see past development schedules and security protocols to honor one person's final wish.

The company could have easily said no. Security around GTA 6 has been notoriously tight, especially after previous leaks. Making an exception carried real risks. But they chose humanity over caution.

Armstrong's courage to ask publicly, knowing he might face rejection, speaks to the power of community. His willingness to be vulnerable on a professional platform created space for others to help. Sometimes asking is the hardest part.

For one terminally ill gamer, the wait for GTA 6 ended early with an experience most players can only dream about.