This is a real job.
That’s what United States-based prediction market platform Kalshi, which allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, wrote in its job listing for a “GTA VI Researcher”.
And it’s not hard to see why the company felt the need to clarify, given that the role involves getting paid to play and stream one of the most anticipated games of the decade.
Source: Rockstar Games
The contract role will see the successful applicant play Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI from the moment it launches on 19 Nov, while streaming their gameplay online.
According to the job listing, the researcher must be ready to start playing at midnight on 19 Nov — although the time zone was not specified — and stream their entire journey through the game’s story mode on Twitch or YouTube, with their camera on.
Despite the demanding schedule, the researcher can play through the story at their own pace, with Kalshi assuring applicants that “sleep and touching grass are both allowed”.
For their efforts, the company is offering a fixed project fee of between US$100,000 (S$128,500) and US$120,000 (S$154,200), along with an additional US$15,000 (S$19,300) upon completion of the project.
Source: Rockstar Games
Of course, not just anyone can land the job.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have at least 10 years of gaming experience, along with three years of streaming experience.
They must also have an established streaming channel, their own equipment and software, and the ability to analyse and optimise game mechanics.
The position is listed as a remote contract role, although the job description does not explicitly state whether applicants outside the United States are eligible.
Beyond streaming gameplay, Kalshi also expects the successful applicant to analyse the game’s in-game economy.
GTA VI takes place in Leonida, a fictional state inspired by Florida.
Source: Rockstar Games
The researcher will be tasked with identifying the best ways to make money in the game and “min-max[ing] everything”, a gaming term for optimising strategies to achieve the best possible results.
Kalshi also wants them to “find what’s broken, what’s mid, and what’s actually goated, and bring receipts”, meaning they must test different strategies and back up their findings with evidence.
They will then have to submit weekly reports on Leonida’s economy before delivering an official “State of the Leonida Economy” address.
Beyond the virtual world, Kalshi wants the researcher to examine the game’s impact on the real-world economy.
This includes tracking how many employees call in sick during launch week, whether food delivery demand increases, and any potential loss in productivity as gamers immerse themselves in GTA VI.
Rockstar Games’ upcoming release is one of the most highly anticipated video game launches in recent years.
Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, debuted in September 2013 and generated over US$1 billion in sales within just three days.
More than 13 years have passed since then, marking the longest gap between mainline releases in the franchise’s history.
The long gap even helped popularise the Internet meme “We got [insert event] before GTA 6”, which fans use to poke fun at unexpected things happening before the game’s release.
Excitement has only grown following the release of record-breaking trailers showcasing GTA VI’s modern-day take on Vice City.
With just days to go before the launch, some gamers are even planning to take time off work to immerse themselves in the virtual world.
In fact, companies are already seeing an increase in leave requests around the game’s release, while others anticipate employees calling in sick during launch week.
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Featured image adapted from Rockstar Games and Kalshi.