Rockstar Games to Grant Dying Fan’s Final Wish to Play GTA 6 Before Release

In a heartwarming display of compassion, Rockstar Games has reportedly agreed to grant early access to Grand Theft Auto 6 for a terminally ill fan who may not live to see the game’s official launch.

The story began when Anthony Armstrong, a UI Integrator at Ubisoft Toronto, made an emotional appeal on LinkedIn in December. Armstrong revealed that a close family member has been battling cancer for years and recently received devastating news—only 6 to 12 months left to live.

A Desperate Plea

Armstrong’s relative is a devoted Grand Theft Auto fan who has been eagerly awaiting GTA 6 for years. With the game scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, the harsh reality is that this fan might not survive long enough to experience it. Living near Rockstar’s Oakville studio in Ontario, Armstrong reached out publicly, asking if the company could arrange an exclusive playtest.

“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,” Armstrong wrote in his original post. “At the very least an NDA is probably needed.”

Rockstar Responds

The gaming community rallied around Armstrong’s request, sharing the story widely across social media. The support caught Rockstar’s attention quickly. Armstrong later posted an update revealing that Take-Two’s CEO had reached out, and they were coordinating with the Rockstar team.

In a final update before deleting the posts—likely due to confidentiality agreements—Armstrong shared the good news: “We spoke to them today and got great news.”

While details remain confidential, it appears Rockstar has agreed to arrange a private, secret playtest exclusively for this one person, allowing them to experience the highly anticipated game before their time runs out.

A History of Compassion

This isn’t the first time Rockstar Games has gone above and beyond for terminally ill fans. The studio has established a heartwarming tradition of granting final wishes to those facing life’s end.

In 2018, Rockstar performed a similar act of kindness for a fan named Jurian from the Netherlands. Jurian had been fighting neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare genetic condition causing benign tumors throughout the body, since 2004. When his father contacted Rockstar Netherlands about allowing his son to play Red Dead Redemption 2 before its release, the company responded with extraordinary compassion.

Although Rockstar Netherlands initially lacked clearance, they contacted headquarters and quickly arranged something special. Within a week, two Rockstar Netherlands employees traveled to Jurian’s home with a private demo, allowing him to play the game for an entire afternoon before the official launch.

Jurian later shared that he was inspired to tell his story after reading about Nintendo granting a similar wish to a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fan.

The Gaming Industry’s Compassionate Side

These gestures represent some of the gaming industry’s finest moments. Other companies have followed similar practices:

• Nintendo allowed a terminally ill fan to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate early
• Bethesda has helped multiple terminally ill fans visit their studio and play unreleased games, including Fallout 76

These acts remind us that video games are more than entertainment—they’re sources of joy, comfort, and meaning, especially during life’s darkest moments.

Privacy and Respect

Armstrong’s deletion of his LinkedIn posts after receiving confirmation from Rockstar suggests the company is honoring the fan’s privacy while fulfilling this final wish. The playtest will undoubtedly be conducted under strict confidentiality agreements, ensuring GTA 6’s secrets remain protected while allowing one person to experience a dream come true.

As the gaming world continues to await GTA 6’s release in late 2026, this story serves as a poignant reminder of the human element behind the industry—and the profound impact games can have on people’s lives.

Our thoughts are with Armstrong’s family member during this difficult time. While we may never know the details of their private experience with GTA 6, we can celebrate Rockstar’s compassion in making it happen.