The controversy surrounding Rockstar Games has deepened after more than 220 current staff members at Rockstar North signed a joint letter calling for the reinstatement of 31 employees recently dismissed by the company. The dispute follows allegations of union busting linked to the team developing Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rockstar Faces Internal Pressure
On November 13, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) confirmed that hundreds of remaining employees had formally addressed Rockstar management, demanding that the fired workers be “immediately reinstated.” The letter marks a rare moment of open dissent within one of gaming’s most secretive studios.
The IWGB said the employees who signed the statement wanted to show solidarity with their former colleagues, many of whom were involved in union discussions prior to being terminated. The group’s statement accuses Rockstar of “victimising staff for lawful trade union activity,” an act that could breach UK labor law.
How the Dispute Began
The situation began on October 31, when Rockstar Games abruptly dismissed 31 employees across its UK and Canadian studios. The company initially cited “gross misconduct” as the reason but later clarified that the terminations were due to “sharing confidential information in a public Discord server.”
Former employees have strongly denied that claim, asserting that the Discord server was private and used solely to discuss workplace organizing efforts. The IWGB argues that the company’s justification was “unlawful” and that the firings were “the most brazen act of union suppression the industry has seen.”
Protests and Mounting Fallout
Protests have already been held outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh headquarters and Take-Two Interactive’s London and Paris offices. More demonstrations are planned for later this month, though it remains unclear whether current Rockstar employees will join their former colleagues at future picket lines.
Rockstar continues to stand by its decision, insisting that internal policies were violated and no labor laws were broken. The IWGB has since launched formal legal proceedings, setting the stage for a high-profile tribunal that could have implications across the wider gaming industry.
Industry Impact and Ongoing Tension
The dispute comes at a pivotal moment for Rockstar, as GTA 6 faces a delayed release and heightened scrutiny from both fans and investors. Analysts warn that prolonged legal battles or further internal unrest could disrupt production schedules and strain the studio’s reputation.
For now, the battle lines are drawn. Rockstar’s leadership insists it acted lawfully, while its employees past and present stand united in their demand for accountability. The outcome could reshape not just Rockstar’s workplace culture, but the wider conversation about labor rights in the global games industry.