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|Website=https://www.rockstargames.com/
|Website=https://www.rockstargames.com/
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'''[[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.'' It is owned by [[Take Two]].


== Consumer-impact summary ==
'''{{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]].
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
 
* User freedom
==Consumer impact summary==
* User privacy
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
* Business model
* Market control}}


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
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{{Incomplete section}}
{{Incomplete section}}


===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>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-18 |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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.ph/MHBy0 |archive-date=2025-04-02 |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Rockstar Games Support}}</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/|title=IV Song Removal Due to Licenses expiring.|date=2018-04-18|author=edups|work=GTAForums|access-date=2025-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321070236/https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/|archive-date=2025-03-21|url-status=live}}</ref> and here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/|title=The update for GTA 4 removes songs from the ingame radio stations. Here is the list of songs removed|author=u/TransAmConnor|work=Reddit|date=2018-04-26|access-date=2025-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429055804/https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/|archive-date=2018-04-29|url-status=live}}</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 5 move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase===
===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}}
{{Main|GTA 5 moves to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}
On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar 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 like Linux and SteamOS. Despite the BattleEye anti-cheat being Linux compatible with minimal effort, Rockstar still chose to not support the operating system, hence leaving buyers without the product they paid for.


Due to the BattleEye 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 singleplayer. There are workarounds for this, such as using offline mode on Steam, but the game requires you to activate its license by logging in to Rockstar Launcher atleast once when you install it and about every week you will need to reactivate this license to continue playing the singleplayer mode.  
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===
===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 |last= |first= |date=3 January 2026 |title=Family Sharing Not Allowed By Rockstar Games |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1g553ov/is_there_a_way_to_play_gta_5_on_family_sharing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/sDACa |archive-date=3 January 2026 |access-date=3 January 2026}}</ref>
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 forces arbitration agreement after the sale (2025)===
As of March 28, 2025, Rockstar Games Launcher is now forcing customers to accept the current terms and conditions which were updated February 28th, 2025. This includes an arbitration agreement that may only be opted out of using a letter delivered via official mail courier services.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Rockstar Legal |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211134609/https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |archive-date=11 Feb 2026|access-date=3 January 2026}}</ref> This affects owners of any games through the Rockstar Games Launcher as well as Steam users who own games that require it's use and completely blocks them from using the products they paid for until they agree.


== Products ==
===Rockstar adds arbitration agreement post-purchase (''2025'')===
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.


=== Grand Theft Auto: ===
===Rockstar requiring proof of purchase for Android games===
* Grand Theft Auto London 1969 (1999)
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>
* Grand Theft Auto London 1961 (1999)
<gallery>
* Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
Rockstar Games GTA Liberty City Stories purchase page.png|Prompt to buy the game.
* Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
File:Rockstar Games mobile purchase restoration form.png|alt=Purchase restoration form|Purchase restoration form.
* Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
File:Rockstar Games support page for restoring mobile purchase.png|Screenshot of Rockstar Games support page regarding restoration of previous mobile purchase.
* Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
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.
* Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2005)
</gallery>
* 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)


=== L.A. Noire: ===
==Products==
* L.A. Noire (2011)
===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)


== See also ==
===L.A. Noire===
*L.A. Noire (2011)


* [[Electronic Arts]]
==See also==
* [[Ubisoft]]
*[[Forced arbitration]]
*[[Electronic Arts]]
*[[Ubisoft]]


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