Michael Unsworth, one of the three writers credited for work on both Red Dead Redemption and its sequel, is leaving Rockstar after 16 years.
This was first discovered on his LinkedIn profile, thanks to a user on GTAForums. As Unsworth has yet to share his reason for his departure, fans can only speculate. However, there are notable details revealing his bio and work history that reflect the major change, as it now describes his tenure with Rockstar in the past tense.
“Mike is an accomplished writer who spent over 16 years working for Rockstar Games as a creative lead on some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful video game franchises of all time, most notably Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption…He has a deep understanding of interactive storytelling, character development and open-world game design and extensive experience building and managing creative teams.”
Unsworth has also contributed to other major titles in Rockstar’s portfolio, including GTA IV (2008), GTA V (2013), L.A. Noire (2011), and Max Payne 3 (2012).
Neither Rockstar nor Unsworth have issued a public statement regarding this departure. However, the acclaimed writer is not the only veteran to leave the 24-year-old developer in recent times. For example, the President of Rockstar North Leslie Benzies walked out in 2016. Later, Rockstar Creative Lead Dan Houser and GTA Producer/Writer Lazlow Jones departed in 2020 after working at the studio for two decades.
Houser’s exit was commented on by Rockstar, with the CEO of Take-Two saying that “things couldn’t be better” and that the developer did not expect any additional departures.
Currently, Rockstar is focused on the next major entry in the GTA series. Although little is known aside from the major leak that occurred last year, there’s enough evidence to suggest the setting of the game will be in Vice City.