Some companies celebrate major video game releases with launch parties. Pocketpair has found a considerably more practical solution: giving its employees time off to actually play. The studio behind Palworld has announced a special five-day holiday for workers planning to jump into Grand Theft Auto VI, turning Rockstar’s launch into an officially approved trip to Vice City.
The decision is a fun example of how seriously gaming enthusiasts are approaching November 19. However, there is another important detail for fans of Pocketpair’s games: the studio says its existing development work will continue according to schedule.
Pocketpair is giving GTA 6 fans an official five-day holiday
The announcement appeared on November 12, 2026, through the official Palworld account on X. Alongside the post, the developer shared an internal document titled Special Company Holiday Announcement, presenting the upcoming release as an occasion worthy of a company-wide celebration.
Rather than asking employees to squeeze their gaming sessions around their regular responsibilities, Pocketpair has made a special arrangement. Anyone intending to play the new Rockstar adventure can take the following days away from work:
- Starting date: Thursday, November 19, 2026.
- Final day: Monday, November 23, 2026.
- Duration: Five consecutive calendar days.
- Who qualifies: All Pocketpair employees who intend to play Grand Theft Auto VI.
- Work arrangements: Eligible employees are excused from their regular duties throughout the holiday.
- Official explanation: Workers are encouraged to undertake an urgent five-day business trip to Vice City.
The notice even acknowledges a familiar situation for gamers: millions of people will be sitting in classrooms or offices on launch day, looking out of the window while thinking about the game waiting for them at home. Pocketpair clearly decided that its employees would not have to endure that particular challenge.
There is also a personal touch. CEO Takuro Mizobe confirmed on X that he would be taking a break to play the game himself. Apparently, even the person signing off on the holidays has a Vice City itinerary.
You can read the original announcement from the official Palworld account for the company’s full notice.
Pocketpair says Palworld and Craftopia updates remain on track
A five-day company holiday might sound like a reason for players to worry about ongoing development. Nevertheless, Pocketpair has specifically addressed that concern in its announcement.
The studio says update work for both Palworld and Craftopia is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed according to the existing schedule. In other words, the temporary break is not being presented as a change to either game’s development plans.
This distinction matters because a studio holiday and a development delay are two very different things. Pocketpair is making room for its employees to enjoy a major release without announcing any disruption to its current commitments.
It also makes the announcement more interesting than a simple workplace joke. The company is openly acknowledging that its employees are gamers first and foremost, while communicating that its existing projects remain a priority. For fans waiting for future updates, the reassurance is arguably the most useful part of the entire announcement.
GTA 6 is getting a launch week that even developers want to enjoy
Rockstar Games’ next major open-world adventure arrives on November 19, 2026. Its launch is already attracting attention beyond the usual countdown, with additional events and discussions giving fans different ways to experience the occasion.
Here are the essential release details for players planning their own trip to Vice City:
- Game: Grand Theft Auto VI.
- Developer: Rockstar Games.
- Release date: November 19, 2026.
- Confirmed platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Players who want to follow the celebrations before getting their hands on the game can also check out the 24-hour YouTube livestream planned for launch. Meanwhile, those interested in the game’s international release can read about the South Korean age rating and its censorship debate.
Ultimately, Pocketpair’s decision offers a refreshing reminder that the people making video games are often just as excited about playing them as everyone else. With five days officially cleared for Vice City adventures, the only remaining question is whether employees will actually want to return to the office on November 24.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
