Rockstar Games, known for GTA, lays off numerous employees and faces allegations of preventing union formation as Grand Theft Auto 6’s launch approaches. Around 30 to 40 employees from their UK and Canada studios were impacted by the layoffs.
The British union IWGB strongly reacted to the episode, viewing it as an attempt to limit union activities within the company.
Rockstar Games justifies dismissals based only on severe misconduct cases, in response to allegations.
Rockstar Games terminated numerous employees who were engaged in union activities, referring to it as union-busting, while Take-Two Interactive attributed the action to misconduct.
Reasons for resignations at Rockstar Games
According to IWGB data, all dispensed professionals participated in a private Discord channel specifically focused on trade union matters.
The group included active union members as well as officials who were interested in submitting applications.
The IWGB president, Alex Marshall, stated that the company’s actions represent a clear and severe case of union suppression in the gaming industry.
Marshall stated that he believed that disrespecting laws and workers’ well-being is not only deliberate but also a challenge to fans and the global gaming industry.
Publisher Take-Two Interactive, represented by spokesperson Alan Lewis, restated the developer’s stance.
Lewis confirmed that the shutdowns occurred due to the mentioned “severe behavior,” without providing specific details, in an attempt to distance the company from any association with trade union activities.
The executive reaffirmed the publisher’s complete backing for Rockstar Games’ objectives and operational approaches, highlighting it as one of its renowned subsidiaries.
Rockstar: not only making history in terms of profits, but in enacting the most brazen act of union busting the games industry has ever seen. https://t.co/D5F40jMywZ
— IWGB (@IWGBunion) October 31, 2025
Rockstar is not only setting records in terms of earnings, but also carrying out the most audacious act of breaking up a labor union in the history of the gaming industry.
Safety environment and organizational culture at Rockstar
This event happened when Rockstar Games had increased its internal security measures.
The reinforcement was primarily put in place following the significant 2022 breach, which revealed numerous videos containing incomplete content from Grand Theft Auto VI.
In early 2024, the company received backlash from the union for ending remote work and requiring employees to return to the office full-time.
The company claimed that the action was in part to protect the security and integrity of its projects.
Read further
Status update on the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI
The upcoming installment of the franchise, GTA VI, is set to be officially released on May 26, 2026. It is anticipated to become one of the most successful commercial titles in the history of digital entertainment, according to market expectations and the gaming community.
The recent focus on the developer’s working environment shows that there has been notable improvement in the conditions for developers, moving away from a culture of excessive monitoring.
What do you think about the topic? Do you believe GTA 6 will be released in May 2026? Share your perspective and stay tuned to Adrenaline!
Kotaku and Bloomberg are the sources.
It would lack originality
Take-Two does not think that artificial intelligence would be beneficial in developing a successful GTA game.
