Journalist and insider Rhys "Kiwi Talkz" Reilly recently revealed on social media that Rockstar Games employees sign a lifetime NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
He said that he tried to arrange an interview but received polite refusals:
When I approach video game developers for interviews, I've been getting this kind of response more and more often lately. I try my best to protect developers: I'm not interested in provocative questions or stirring up scandals (perhaps that's why my interviews don't become more popular), but I understand why developers are reluctant to talk.
Example response:
I appreciate the offer. It's definitely not about you, but I've been "burned" by journalists before, despite various assurances. Let me think about it a bit more. Thank you for your understanding.
In a subsequent post, Rhys Reilly explained that Rockstar employees have lifetime non-disclosure agreements, and therefore he "understands what can and cannot be asked":
Developers cannot discuss specific details even after 10 years — only speculate or speak in general terms. Talking about the RAGE engine in any detail is strictly taboo.
However, such a strict NDA did not always exist. For example, Obbe Vermeij, former technical director of Rockstar North, often shares memories of his work on social media. It is assumed that such an agreement appeared after the release of the first Red Dead Redemption.