A labor union has stated that all of the dismissed Rockstar personnel were participants in a union Discord group.
A labor union has stated that all of the dismissed Rockstar personnel were participants in a union Discord group.
Rockstar Games, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto VI, terminated between 30 to 40 staff members on Thursday, as reported earlier by Bloomberg. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) claims that all of the dismissed personnel were involved in a closed trade union Discord chat and were either existing union members or in the process of organizing a union at Rockstar.
“Rockstar has perpetrated the most obvious and brutal act of union suppression in the gaming sector,” stated IWGB president Alex Marshall in a comment to The Verge.
Alan Lewis, the top global corporate communications official at Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two Interactive, replied, informing The Verge that the layoffs were “due to gross misconduct, and for no other reason,” without going into details.
The dismissals were distributed across Rockstar offices in Canada and the UK. They occur just seven months prior to the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI. Originally, the game was meant to launch this fall, but Rockstar pushed back its release to May 26th, 2026, stating, “We hope you understand that we require this additional time to deliver at the quality level that you expect and deserve.”
Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) president Alex Marshall:
“Rockstar has perpetrated the most obvious and brutal act of union suppression in the gaming sector. This blatant disregard for the law and for the lives of the workers who generate their profits is an affront to their audience and the industry worldwide.
In light of this strategic assault on workers striving for collective representation and improved working conditions, the Rockstar Union continues to stand firm. They are committed to advocating for dignity and better conditions while dedicating their energy, passion, and creativity to develop beloved games.
The IWGB will pursue all possible legal avenues to ensure our members are reinstated and compensated.”
Alan Lewis, head of global corporate communications at Take-Two Interactive:
“We aim to create premier entertainment properties by providing our outstanding creative teams with positive workspaces and continuous career opportunities. Our culture emphasizes collaboration, excellence, and empathy. Rockstar Games dismissed a limited number of individuals due to gross misconduct, and for no other reason. We continually support Rockstar’s objectives and methodologies.”
