We are living in a drought, people. A Grand Theft Auto VI news drought. With Rockstar Games famously tighter than Fort Knox, fans have been surviving on scraps, theories, and a terrifying amount of AI-generated fake leaks. But this weekend, something different happened. Something… real.
A legitimate demo reel from a former Rockstar North employee surfaced online, and hidden within the portfolio of polished hits like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Max Payne 3 was something we weren’t supposed to see yet: raw, behind-the-scenes animation work for the upcoming GTA 6.
The Leak: What Was in the Video?
The footage came from the Vimeo account of Benjamin Chue, a character animator with a massive tenure at Rockstar Games. While the video has (unsurprisingly) been nuked from the internet, the internet never forgets. The reel contained roughly 19 seconds of animation tests that eagle-eyed fans on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit immediately identified.
Here is the breakdown of the clips:
- The “LOM” Bike: A male character is seen interacting with a bicycle rack. He physically drags the bike backward out of the stand, adjusts his weight, and mounts it. The bike features branding for “LOM Bikes,” a clear parody of the real-world LimeBike rental services.
- The Pickup Truck: A female character (potentially Lucia or an NPC) is shown standing in the bed of a pickup truck before hopping down to the street.
- The Vice City Connection: In the background of the truck clip, a placeholder asset labeled “Ocean View Hotel” is visible. Veterans of the series will instantly recognize this as the iconic safehouse from the original GTA: Vice City.
Who Is Benjamin Chue?
This isn’t some random anonymous 4chan user. Benjamin Chue is an industry veteran credited on some of Rockstar’s biggest titles. His portfolio includes work on:
| Game Title | Role |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Animator |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Animator |
| Max Payne 3 | Animator |
| L.A. Noire | Animator |
The fact that this footage came from a developer with 25 years of history at the company adds a layer of authenticity that no “trust me bro” insider can match.
Why This Matters (Even If It’s Just 19 Seconds)
You might be thinking, “Big deal, a guy riding a bike?” But in game development, the devil is in the details. The animation showed complex weight distribution—the character didn’t just snap onto the bike; he had to pull it out, steady it, and swing his leg over. It aligns perfectly with the hyper-realistic physics engine Rockstar debuted in RDR2.
Furthermore, the “LOM” branding confirms Rockstar’s satire is still sharp, poking fun at modern gig-economy trends like rentable electric scooters and bikes. It’s a small flavor text, but it screams Grand Theft Auto.
Is It Still Online?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: The Vimeo link is dead, and Rockstar’s legal team is likely scrubbing mirrors as we speak. However, screenshots and descriptions have already been archived by the community. This leak is verified not just by the content, but by the swiftness of the takedown.
FAQs
1. Is the leaked GTA 6 footage real?
Yes, it appears to be legitimate animation test footage from a former Rockstar employee’s professional portfolio [web:59][web:60].
2. Who leaked the footage?
It was uploaded by Benjamin Chue, a character animator with credits on multiple Rockstar games including GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
3. What did the leak show?
It showed animation tests for a character renting a bicycle (branded “LOM Bikes”) and a female character jumping off a truck, with a “Ocean View Hotel” placeholder in the background.
4. Does this mean the game is delayed?
No. This footage is likely from an older build used for animation testing. It doesn’t reflect the current state of the game or its release schedule.
5. When is GTA 6 coming out?
The game is currently scheduled for Fall 2025, though rumors of a delay to 2026 persist [web:60].
Conclusion
While 19 seconds of a guy pulling a bike out of a rack isn’t exactly the gameplay deep dive we wanted, it’s the crumb of comfort we needed. It proves the game is real, the physics are grounded, and the satire is intact. Now, we go back to waiting for Trailer 2. Your move, Rockstar.