Rockstar Energy controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Rockstar responds to Grand Theft Auto Trilogy launch problems
Company response
After players reported bugs and graphics problems in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and an authentication-system failure made the games impossible to play, Rockstar apologized and said a bug-fixing patch was in progress. Rockstar also said it would make the original game versions available again, including at no extra cost for qualifying purchasers.
Company response
Apology — Rockstar
Rockstar has now apologized for the mess and confirmed a bug-fixing patch is incoming.
Remediation — Rockstar
To that end, Rockstar says it is working on a bug-squashing update that will roll out soon.
Source excerpt
Rockstar has now apologized for the mess and confirmed a bug-fixing patch is incoming.
The launch last week was an unmitigated disaster, with gamers complaining of bugs and ugly graphics until Rockstar's authentication system broke, making the games impossible to play.
Rockstar says that it will release a new bundle of all three classic games on its website.
2020
Admiral Beverage sues PepsiCo over Rockstar distribution exclusivity
Lawsuit filed
Admiral Beverage sued PepsiCo in federal court, alleging that PepsiCo breached a contract by terminating Admiral’s exclusive Rockstar Energy distribution agreement. Admiral sought a preliminary injunction to maintain its exclusivity rights; the allegations are reported as claims in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
Admiral is seeking a preliminary injunction in order to maintain its exclusivity rights.
Admiral Beverage, the Worland-based company that manufactures Pepsi products for a large portion of the Mountain West, is suing PepsiCo in federal court, claiming that the soft drink giant breached a contract in pulling Admiral's ability to exclusively manufacture an energy drink.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims that PepsiCo took away Admiral's exclusivity right to a market consisting of parts or all of Wyoming, Utah, Montana and Idaho after Admiral executives refused to sign an E-Commerce agreement which would authorize PepsiCo to sell its brand to online retailers like Amazon.
2019
Rockstar responds to Red Dead Redemption 2 PC launch issues
Company response
After players experienced game-breaking bugs in Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC, Rockstar apologized, released fixes for many issues, and said it was working with Nvidia on a future update to address stuttering. Rockstar also offered players free Red Dead Online items.
Company response
Apology — Rockstar
Rockstar has apologized for the bumpy start
Remediation — Rockstar
We are still currently working together with Nvidia to completely resolve the stuttering issue in a future update
Refund or compensation — Rockstar
Rockstar is giving away free downloadable Red Dead Online items — a poncho, provisions and ammo — to players from this week until the holiday season.
Source excerpt
However, many experienced game-breaking bugs. Rockstar has apologized for the bumpy start and released fixes for many of the issues.
To make amends for the headaches, Rockstar is giving away free downloadable Red Dead Online items — a poncho, provisions and ammo — to players from this week until the holiday season.
We are still currently working together with Nvidia to completely resolve the stuttering issue in a future update, and it may take us up to a few days to properly test everything and ensure the next update completely solves the problem.
2009
LGBTQ-related boycott and family-association controversy
A boycott campaign criticized Rockstar because founder Russell Weiner is the son of radio personality Michael Savage, whose public statements about gay and transgender people had drawn condemnation. Rockstar initially threatened legal action against the campaign, then withdrew the threat, donated to LGBTQ organizations, and improved its workplace LGBTQ inclusion policies. Janet Weiner also left her CFO role at Savage Productions.
2007
Criticism of alcoholic product presentation
Rockstar’s alcoholic United States product was discontinued in 2007 amid criticism and concerns that consumers, particularly younger consumers, could confuse it with the standard non-alcoholic energy drink.