Rockstar Games laid off more than 30 developers last week. A UK-based trade union (IWGB) described the incident as an attempt by the Grand Theft Auto 6 studio to prevent unionization. However, Rockstar Games denied the allegations, claiming employees leaked sensitive company information. This dispute comes as the highly anticipated game prepares for its May 2026 release.

Rockstar Games accused more than 30 employees of “leaking confidential information”

A Rockstar spokesperson told Bloomberg that a small number of individuals had distributed and discussed confidential information in a public forum. The spokesperson emphasized that this was a clear violation of company policies and that the decision “had nothing to do with people’s rights to join or engage in union activities.” Rockstar did not provide further details about the specific details of the allegedly leaked confidential information.

The dismissed developers were reportedly in a private Discord group with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). Parent company Take-Two had described the dismissal as “gross misconduct.” The IWGB is also trying to organize developers at other UK-based studios, including ZA/UM, the developer of Disco Elysium, and Build a Rocket Boy, the developer of MindsEye.

IWGB president Alex Marshall responded to Rockstar’s new allegations. Marshall claimed that management “prioritized anti-unionism by targeting the people who made the game” and disregarded potential delays to GTA 6. Marshall argued that the fired employees were simply discussing “their rights to exercise a more equitable workplace and a collective voice.”

GTA 6’s development has been conducted in a highly secretive manner, with the exception of an unprecedented major leak in 2022. The studio has released only two official trailers since then. The game’s release date has been delayed once, and some believe the May 2026 target may also be missed.