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{{InfoboxCompany
{{CompanyCargo
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
|Description=American video game publisher known for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
| Type =Subsidiary
|Founded=1998
| Founded =1998
|Industry=Video Games
| Industry =Video games
|Logo=Rockstar Games Logo.svg
| Official Website =https://www.rockstargames.com/
|ParentCompany=Take-Two Interactive
| Logo =QuestionMark.svg
|Type=Subsidiary
}}'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video-game publisher based in New York City. It is known for action-adventure game franchises such as ''Grand Theft Auto'' and ''Red Dead Redemption.''
|Website=https://www.rockstargames.com/
}}
 
'''{{Wplink|Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc.}}''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. It is known for action-adventure game franchises such as ''Grand Theft Auto'' and ''Red Dead Redemption.'' It is owned by [[Take Two]].
 
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].


=== Rockstar - GTA The Definitive Trilogy ===
===Rockstar - GTA The Definitive Trilogy===
{{Incomplete section}}
{{Incomplete section}}


=== Rockstar - GTA 4 content removal ===
===GTA IV content removal===
Licensing for some songs in ''GTA 4'' have run out, and updates to the game have been removing content after purchase.<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref> Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.
The licensing for some songs in ''GTA IV'' expired, with updates to the game removing content post-purchase.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Music Updates in Grand Theft Auto IV, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony |website=Rockstar Games |date=11 Apr 2018 |access-date=2 Apr 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415011048/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Music_updates_in_GTA_IV.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref> A list of removed songs can be found on [[Reddit]]'s sub-forum r/Games (see adjacent reference).<ref>{{Cite web |author=TransAmConnor |title=The update for GTA 4 removes songs from the ingame radio stations. Here is the list of songs removed |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=26 Apr 2018 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610155323/https://old.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/ |archive-date=10 Jun 2023}}</ref> Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.
 
===GTA V move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase===
{{Main|GTA 5 moves to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}
 
On 17 September 2024 (eleven years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat made by BattlEye. This update retroactively restricted GTA Online usage to the Windows operating system, despite previously being fully functional on other operating systems such as [[SteamOS]] (and other [[wikipedia:Linux_distribution|Linux distros]]). Despite the BattlEye anti-cheat being Linux-compatible with minimal effort, the company still chose to not support the operating system, thus leaving buyers without the product they paid for.
 
Due to the BattlEye anti-cheat being a requirement to run GTA V, if a customer decides not to install it they won't be able to sign in to the Rockstar Launcher even if they wish to play single player. There are workarounds for this, such as using offline mode on [[Steam]], but the game requires license activation by logging in to Rockstar Launcher at least once upon installation. About every week the license will need to be reactivated to continue playing the single player mode.{{Citation needed|date=14 Apr 2026}}
 
===Rockstar prevents borrowing games on Steam===
While many publishers permit Steam Family Sharing, a feature that allows users to share their game libraries with other accounts, Rockstar does not allow it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=laffiie |title=Family Sharing "Buy" instead of "Play" with GTA V. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/ee7ig7/family_sharing_buy_instead_of_play_with_gta_v/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=22 Dec 2019 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607222201/https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/ee7ig7/family_sharing_buy_instead_of_play_with_gta_v/ |archive-date=7 Jun 2023}}</ref>


=== Rockstar - GTA 5 move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase ===
===Rockstar adds arbitration agreement post-purchase (''2025'')===
''GTA 5'' was released in 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>
As of 28 March 2025, Rockstar Games Launcher is now forcing customers to accept the current terms and conditions which were updated 28 February 2025. This includes an arbitration agreement that may only be opted out of through a letter delivered via official mail courier services.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Rockstar Legal |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |website=Rockstar Games |date=28 Feb 2025 |access-date=3 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211134609/https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> This affects owners of any games through the Rockstar Games Launcher as well as Steam users who own games that require its use, completely blocking them from using the products they paid for until they agree.


This update retroactively restricted online usage on the [[Windows]] OS, despite being fully functional on alternative operating systems like [[Linux]] and [[SteamOS]]. Despite Rockstar's claim that ''GTA 5 Online'' is not supported by [[Steam Deck]],<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref> ''GTA 5 Online'' did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye is compatible with Linux<ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref>, and compatibility can be enabled by email,<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref> yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.
===Rockstar requiring proof of purchase for Android games===
After introducing GTA+,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=GTA+ Join |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus |website=Rockstar Games |date= |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316195158/https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus/join |archive-date=16 Mar 2026}}</ref> some older mobile GTA titles were made available through the subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Chinatown Wars Added to Games Included With GTA+ |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |website=Rockstar Games |date=19 Oct 2023 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230214/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |archive-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> After each (re-)installation, [[Android]] users are required to send proof of purchase from [[Google Play]] for manual approval.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I restore a mobile purchase for a Rockstar Games title? |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/YthtxkGTJY0uv3MgNJAJv/how-do-i-restore-a-mobile-purchase-for-a-rockstar-games-title |website=Rockstar Games |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415001607/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_support_page_for_restoring_mobile_purchase.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Error |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/pFKhWjF2elrbh0fmxUaTS/already-bought-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-error |website=Rockstar Games |date=13 Dec 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415002743/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Already_bought_Grand_Theft_Auto_Liberty_City_Stories_error.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref>
<gallery>
Rockstar Games GTA Liberty City Stories purchase page.png|Prompt to buy the game.
File:Rockstar Games mobile purchase restoration form.png|alt=Purchase restoration form|Purchase restoration form.
File:Rockstar Games support page for restoring mobile purchase.png|Screenshot of Rockstar Games support page regarding restoration of previous mobile purchase.
File:Rockstar Games Already bought Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories error.png|Screenshot of support page for "Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories?" error.
</gallery>


In response, [[Valve]] has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria, such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.
==Products==
===Grand Theft Auto===
*Grand Theft Auto London 1969 (1999)
*Grand Theft Auto London 1961 (1999)
*Grand Theft Auto II (1999)
*Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
*Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
*Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
*Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2005)
*Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
*Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
*Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
*Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
*Grand Theft Auto VI (upcoming, planned for 2026)


Additionally, anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifiers, according to the [[privacy policy]]:<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref><blockquote>
===L.A. Noire===
* IP address
*L.A. Noire (2011)
* Game identifiers (e.g., in-game name, account ID)
* Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g., serial numbers)
* Information about the running operating system
* Information about files and memory related to the game or operating system
* Information about running processes, drivers, and other executable code
* File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating-system user name
</blockquote>Because of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with kernel-mode anti-cheat, players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of kernel-mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers and publishers to disclose the use of more invasive kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions:<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category. If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernel mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contains vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, far beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user-mode permissions. Even Rockstar's own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only increasing risk to players.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>


=== ''Rockstar prevents borrowing games on Steam'' ===
==See also==
Other publishers allow borrowing of games for family members, Rockstar does not allow it.
*[[Forced arbitration]]
*[[Electronic Arts]]
*[[Ubisoft]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Rockstar Games]]
[[Category:Take-Two Interactive]]
[[Category:Companies using forced arbitration clauses]]
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