Rockstar Accused of Union-Busting After GTA 6 Developers Fired

Rockstar Games, the studio behind the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, is facing backlash after reports surfaced alleging the company engaged in union-busting. The controversy follows the dismissal of around 30 to 40 developers, reportedly involved in union organization efforts across its UK and Canadian offices.

Allegations Surface Amid Ongoing Development

According to Bloomberg, the terminated employees were part of a private Discord group discussing workplace unionization. Several members were either affiliated with unions or planning to form one. In response, parent company Take-Two Interactive claimed the firings were due to “gross misconduct,” not their union activities. A spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s support for Rockstar’s internal policies.

Union Condemns Rockstar’s Decision

Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), sharply criticized the move, calling it “one of the most blatant and ruthless acts of union busting in the history of the games industry.” He added that the decision displayed “flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions.”

Silence From Rockstar, New Remarks From Take-Two

Rockstar Games has yet to publicly comment on the accusations. However, Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick recently discussed artificial intelligence, asserting that “no creativity can exist by definition in any AI model,” emphasizing that tools like AI could never produce something like GTA 6. His comments, juxtaposed with the layoffs, have fueled further debate about creative integrity and workplace culture in the gaming industry.

For many fans, these developments raise difficult questions about how one of gaming’s most celebrated studios treats the talent behind its global success. As anticipation for GTA 6 continues to grow, so too does the scrutiny surrounding Rockstar’s labor practices.