Gaming
Rockstar Games Faces Union-Busting Allegations After Firing Dozens Ahead of GTA 6 Launch
Just months before the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), Rockstar Games has landed in a new controversy — this time not about leaks, but layoffs. The studio reportedly fired between 30 and 40 employees across its UK and Canadian offices, citing “gross misconduct.” However, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) claims these dismissals were an act of union-busting aimed at silencing organising employees.
The fired employees were all part of a private Discord union chat group that included union organisers but no outsiders. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has pushed back, saying the terminations were not linked to union activity but to leaks of confidential company information.
Rockstar: “They Leaked Confidential Information”
In a statement to Bloomberg, Take-Two said: “Last week, we took action against a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum, a violation of our company policies. This was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities.”
The company’s firm stance echoes concerns about internal security following the massive 2022 GTA 6 leak, which exposed hours of early development footage and design details. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had previously called that breach “terribly unfortunate” and emphasized the studio’s need to be “ever more vigilant” about cybersecurity.
Union Fires Back: “This Is Retaliation”
The IWGB, however, is not buying it. Union president Alex Marshall accused Rockstar of trying to intimidate and suppress worker organizing, calling the firings “the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in gaming history.”
The IWGB has vowed to pursue legal action to reinstate the dismissed employees and has called on fans to hold Rockstar accountable for what it calls “flagrant contempt for the law.”
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GTA 6 Still on Track — But at What Cost?
Despite the turmoil, GTA 6 remains on track for a May 2026 release. Industry analysts expect it to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time, with hype reaching fever pitch after Rockstar dropped two cinematic trailers and a handful of screenshots.
But behind the scenes, the company’s internal culture remains under scrutiny. Rockstar Games previously drew criticism for forcing a return to office five days a week, allegedly breaking earlier promises of flexible work arrangements.
As anticipation builds for the next Grand Theft Auto, the studio faces growing pressure not just to deliver another blockbuster — but to prove it can do so without silencing the people who make it possible.
