Rockstar Games dropped a bombshell on October 30, 2025, when it fired between 30 and 40 employees across its UK and Canadian offices. The catch? Every single one of them was connected to union organizing efforts. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier broke the story, and now the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain is calling it one of the most blatant acts of union busting the gaming industry has ever seen.
What Actually Happened
According to multiple reports, Rockstar terminated these employees on Thursday, October 30. All of them had one thing in common: they were part of a private Discord group where workers discussed union rights and organizing. Some were already members of the IWGB, while others were exploring how to form a union at the studio. Within hours, they were all gone.
IWGB President Alex Marshall didn’t hold back in his response. He called the firings a display of flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who generate billions in revenue for the company. Marshall described it as an insult to both fans and the global gaming industry. The union has announced plans to take legal action and seek reinstatement for the affected members.
Take-Two Says It Was Gross Misconduct
Take-Two Interactive, which owns Rockstar, pushed back hard against the union busting allegations. Spokesperson Alan Lewis stated that the employees were terminated for gross misconduct and for no other reason. The company added that it fully supports Rockstar’s ambitions and approach. However, neither Rockstar nor Take-Two has provided any specifics about what this alleged misconduct actually was.
That lack of detail is raising eyebrows. When 30 to 40 people get fired simultaneously for the same reason, and they all happen to be involved in union activities, it’s going to look suspicious no matter how you spin it. The company hasn’t explained whether this misconduct was a single incident, multiple violations, or something else entirely.
This Isn’t Rockstar’s First Labor Controversy
Rockstar has a complicated history with worker treatment. During the development of Red Dead Redemption and its sequel, employees spoke out about 100-hour workweeks that left them burned out and exhausted. In 2022, reports suggested the studio had improved its practices while working on GTA 6, becoming less demanding overall.
But then came 2024. The IWGB filed complaints after Rockstar restricted remote work and required employees to return to offices five days a week. The studio cited security concerns and the need to prevent leaks about upcoming projects, especially after the massive GTA 6 leak in 2022 that exposed unfinished footage. Critics argued it was more about control than security.
The Human Cost
Among those fired were workers on company-sponsored visas who now face potential deportation, and employees with medical conditions who will lose access to workplace healthcare. These aren’t just job losses. For some of these workers, getting fired means losing their legal right to stay in the country or access to critical medical treatment. The union is seeking interim relief to protect these vulnerable employees while the legal process plays out.
The timing is also worth noting. GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on May 26, 2026, just seven months away. The game is expected to break every sales record in video game history. Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold over 215 million copies, and GTA Online continues to generate massive revenue for the company. Rockstar is printing money, yet it’s cutting staff who were allegedly trying to secure better working conditions.
What Happens Next
The IWGB has promised legal action in both the UK and Canada, where labor laws differ significantly from the United States. British and Canadian courts may view these firings differently than American courts would, potentially giving the union stronger legal footing. This could turn into a lengthy court battle that drags on well past GTA 6’s launch.
Public reaction has been swift and mostly sympathetic to the fired workers. Gaming communities on Reddit, Twitter, and other platforms have criticized Rockstar’s actions, with many users pointing out the contradiction between the company’s massive profits and its treatment of employees. Some fans are calling for boycotts, though whether that will actually impact GTA 6 sales remains to be seen.
FAQs
Why did Rockstar fire these employees?
Take-Two Interactive claims the employees were fired for gross misconduct, but the company has not provided specific details. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain alleges the real reason was union busting, as all fired employees were involved in union organizing efforts through a private Discord group.
How many people were fired?
Between 30 and 40 employees were terminated across Rockstar’s UK and Canadian offices on October 30, 2025. The exact number has not been officially confirmed by Rockstar or Take-Two Interactive.
Will this affect the GTA 6 release date?
There’s no indication that these firings will delay GTA 6, which is still scheduled to launch on May 26, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, the legal battle and potential PR fallout could create complications for Rockstar as it approaches one of the biggest game launches in history.
What is the IWGB doing about this?
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain has announced plans to take legal action against Rockstar Games. The union is seeking reinstatement and interim relief for affected members, particularly those on work visas or with medical conditions who face severe consequences from losing their jobs.
Has Rockstar had labor problems before?
Yes. Rockstar faced criticism during Red Dead Redemption 2 development for requiring 100-hour workweeks. In 2024, the company also drew backlash for ending remote work and requiring employees to return to offices five days a week, citing security concerns after the 2022 GTA 6 leak.
What counts as union busting?
Union busting refers to actions taken by employers to prevent or disrupt workers from organizing or joining unions. This can include firing employees involved in union activities, threatening workers who support unions, or creating hostile conditions to discourage organizing efforts. Whether Rockstar’s actions qualify as illegal union busting will likely be determined in court.
Will this impact GTA 6 sales?
Probably not significantly. While some fans are calling for boycotts, Grand Theft Auto games are cultural phenomena that typically outsell everything else. GTA 5 has moved over 215 million copies, and industry analysts expect GTA 6 to break launch records regardless of this controversy.
Conclusion
The situation at Rockstar Games highlights the ongoing tension between massive gaming corporations and the people who actually make the games. Whether you believe Take-Two’s gross misconduct claims or the union’s accusations of retaliation, the fact remains that 40 people lost their jobs right before the holidays, just months before they would have seen their work launch to the world. The legal battles ahead will determine whether Rockstar crossed a line, but the damage to the company’s reputation among workers and fans has already been done. As GTA 6 approaches its May 2026 release, this story is far from over.