Rockstar Games has taken action against player-created content in Grand Theft Auto Online. The company has reportedly banned missions that recreate the assassination of Charlie Kirk. According to a report by Variety, Rockstar has also added the term "Charlie Kirk" to its internal content-filtering system's list of restricted words.
Rockstar Expands Content Filtering Beyond Profanity
The gaming giant plans to rename its content filtering tool. It will move away from the "profanity filter" label to a term that better reflects its broader purpose. This system flags and blocks content the company does not want players to introduce into the game. The scope now includes references to real-world events like the Kirk assassination, not just offensive language.
Why Rockstar Removed the Charlie Kirk Missions
Charlie Kirk was a 31-year-old conservative artist and co-founder of Turning Point USA. He was killed on September 10, 2025, during a college event in Utah. His assassination sparked widespread political debate across the United States. Discussions focused on gun laws and media commentary in the aftermath.
In December, Rockstar Games introduced a new feature in GTA Online. This feature allows players to create and publish their own missions. After the launch, many players used it to create missions linked to Kirk's death. These user-generated missions instructed players to use a sniper rifle to kill a character named Charlie Kirk.
Online videos of the mission showed players positioned on a rooftop. They overlooked a scene resembling Kirk's actual assassination. One such mission was titled "We Are Charlie Kirk." Rockstar later removed this mission from the game.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Development Update
In other news, Rockstar is currently working on "Grand Theft Auto 6." This is the next main title in the franchise, scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. A Bloomberg report recently provided insights into the game's development status.
The developers are still finalizing levels and missions. They are determining which features will ultimately make the final cut. This essentially suggests that the game is not yet "content complete."
Speaking on the Ringer-Verse's Button Mash podcast, journalist Jason Schreier noted the current development cycle. He said it mirrors that of Rockstar's previous blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.
"This is a big and complicated game," Schreier explained on the podcast. He added that he wouldn't be 'super shocked' if another delay happens. "The last I heard, it was still not content complete. People were still finishing things up, still finalizing levels and missions, and seeing what's going to make it into the game," he said.
GTA 6 has already witnessed two delays since its record-breaking first trailer debuted in late 2023. The gaming community continues to watch for further updates on this highly anticipated release.
