GTA 6 has been a topic of discussion among fans and gamers. Since the game’s glimpse was leaked in September 2022 during a data intrusion incident, various leaks and rumors have continued to surface, keeping the gaming community in suspense.
Rockstar Games, the developer behind GTA 6, has reportedly invested over a billion dollars in the game’s development. They’ve also entered into collaborations with multiple individuals and companies to bring this highly ambitious project to life.
One intriguing rumor suggested that episodes from the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast would make their way into GTA 6 as part of the in-game radio schedule. This idea surprised many, as it would mark an unprecedented move to incorporate real-life podcast content into a fictional gaming world like GTA 6, enhancing the game’s immersive experience.
Speculation about Joe Rogan’s inclusion in GTA 6 may have stemmed from his substantial licensing agreement with Spotify in 2020. Collaborations between influencers and developers have become increasingly common in marketing, and such a partnership would seemingly benefit both parties.
However, recent statements from Rockstar Games have quashed these rumors. According to 9to5software, a representative from Rockstar Games confirmed that Joe Rogan’s appearance in GTA 6 is purely speculative and untrue. The statement emphasized that Joe Rogan’s participation in the game was neither intended nor planned.
Joe Rogan previously bowed out of the UFC games, citing that he hates doing voice over work. so called VOD work takes hours in the studio and isn’t really that well compensated in comparison to commentating for the UFC or his podcast.
Creative director of EA Sports UFC 4, Brian Hayes, gave a reason for Rogan not being featured in the upcoming title during an interview with GameSpot.
“He hasn’t been shy about saying this on his own podcast; like, he hates doing it,” Hayes said. “If you’re not a person that [can] mentally get into that space, then I can see how it could be a very, you know, challenging, potentially mind-numbing experience for a certain type of individual.”
GTA V featured Rogan’s comedian friend Annie Lederman. She voiced the radio producer of Chakra Attack on WCTR, Cheryl Fawkes, in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
The origin of this Joe Rogan rumor remains unclear, leaving many fans surprised and disappointed by the denial. Joe Rogan, a highly popular content creator, would undoubtedly have brought significant attention to the game if his involvement had been confirmed. Yet, for now, developers seem to have distanced themselves from such possibilities.
Rockstar Games is renowned for its satirical references to real-life entities in its games. This caution might explain why they chose not to incorporate Joe Rogan into GTA 6, avoiding the blurring of lines between reality and fiction.
The gaming community has responded to this leak in diverse ways. While many players, particularly fans of the podcaster, were excited about the potential inclusion, others questioned the practicality of real-world podcasts in the context of Grand Theft Auto.