Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, became the center of a major controversy in the gaming world on Thursday when it laid off approximately 30 to 40 employees at its UK and Canadian offices. The British Trade Union Confederation (IWGB) accused the move of being “anti-union,” claiming that all the dismissed employees were part of a private union Discord chat group and that most were either union members or in the process of unionizing.
Rockstar Games Accused of ‘Most Blatant Anti-Union Action in History’
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) harshly criticized Rockstar’s action:
IWGB President Alex Marshall said: “Rockstar has committed the most blatant and brutal anti-union action in the history of the gaming industry. This blatant disregard for the lives and the rule of law of workers who generate billions of dollars is an insult to both its fans and the global industry.”
Marshall added that despite this attack, the Rockstar Union will not be deterred and will continue to organize for better working conditions. The IWGB announced that it would pursue all legal avenues to reinstate its members and receive temporary compensation.
However, Alan Lewis, Head of Global Corporate Communications at Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, disputed these allegations and firmly explained the reason for the layoffs:
Alan Lewis (Take-Two Interactive): “Rockstar Games dismissed a small group of individuals for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar’s goals and approach.”
The layoffs come just seven months before the May 2026 release date of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. The game’s launch was postponed until this fall, stating, “We need this extra time to deliver the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
These layoffs highlight how the long-standing debate over working conditions and the unionization movement within the gaming industry have exacerbated tensions within the studio. This development raises questions about how it will affect the studio’s internal balance as GTA VI enters its final stages of development.
