The name of Jeffrey Epstein continues to haunt international news, well beyond his death in 2019. For several years, those now called the “Epstein files” have revealed testimonies, emails and lists of names cited as part of investigations linked to his sex trafficking network, operated with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. This is a series of court documents gradually made public by the US Department of Justice. These publications do not in themselves constitute evidence of guilt, but they present statements from victims and elements provided in ongoing proceedings, often as context or testimony.
It is in this context that a new 62 page document caused shock waves in the video game industry. On one of the pages is the testimony of Sarah Ransome, an admitted victim of the Epstein-Maxwell network, who claims to have been sexually assaulted in 2006 by Leslie Benziesformer president of Rockstar North and historical figure of the franchise GTA. She also mentions Sam Houser, current president of Rockstar, whom she accuses of having been aware of the situation.
Rockstar Games in the spotlight… for the worst reasons
The comments attributed to Sarah Ransome are particularly explicit and immediately circulated on social networks, triggering a wave of reactions among players and industry observers. It is important to remember that these accusations appear in the context of personal testimony and are not accompanied by any legal decision or indictment against the people named.
The context nevertheless makes the matter all the more sensitive as Rockstar finds itself in a pivotal period. The studio is currently in the spotlight with the development of GTA 6one of the most anticipated games of the decade. This type of revelation, even if not decided by the courts, has an immediate impact on the company’s image and public perception.
For several hours, many fans have been wondering how these accusations could taint the reputation of the studio and, by extension, that of GTA 6. The game is already the center of massive enthusiasm and despite itself finds itself associated with controversy that goes well beyond the scope of entertainment. For some, this also rekindles debates on the internal culture of the industry, often criticized for its problems with management, crunch and toxic masculinity.
As of this writing, neither Leslie Benzies, nor Sam Houser, nor Rockstar North or Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by Benzies after his departure from Rockstar in 2016, have reacted publicly to these accusations. It now remains to be seen whether these allegations will give rise to legal action or official positions.
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