EDINBURGH, Scotland – A growing dispute between Rockstar Games and a group of its recently terminated employees has escalated into public protests, casting a shadow over the studio as it works on the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
Dozens of former staffers, who were abruptly fired in late October, have taken to picketing outside Rockstar North's flagship office in Edinburgh. Their demand is clear: they want their jobs back and compensation for what they claim is wrongful termination, alleging the company is engaging in "union busting" under the guise of investigating leaks.
A Contentious Mass Firing
The roots of the current conflict trace back to October 30, when Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, terminated as many as 40 employees across its UK and Canadian offices. The move was immediately labeled as a heavy-handed tactic to stifle unionization efforts by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB).
The company, however, pushed back against that narrative. In a statement to Bloomberg, Rockstar defended its actions, stating it had taken necessary action against a "small number of individuals" who were found to be "distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum." The company framed the firings as a clear-cut case of addressing gross misconduct and protecting intellectual property, not an attack on worker organization.
"We Did Nothing Wrong," Say Protesters
The former employees now protesting tell a different story. They maintain their innocence, asserting that their internal communications were mischaracterized by management. According to their account, they were not leaking sensitive information to the public but were privately discussing ways to improve their workplace, including topics like pay, working conditions, and collective bargaining.
A fan account on X (formerly Twitter), GTABase.com, has been providing live updates from the front lines of the protest, sharing images and videos of the gathered former employees holding signs and making their voices heard.
The account recently shared a video from the Edinburgh protest, showcasing the determined group of individuals who feel they were never given a fair chance to tell their side of the story before being shown the door.
The protests have since spread, with demonstrations also taking place outside of Take-Two's office in London, increasing pressure on the corporate parent to intervene.
Union Leader Accuses Rockstar of Prioritizing "Union Busting" Over GTA 6
The rhetoric from union representatives has been sharp. Alex Marshall, President of the IWGB, issued a scathing statement, accusing Rockstar management of cynically targeting employees who were advocating for a better workplace.
"Rockstar continue to deflect from the real reason for these dismissals: they are afraid of hard working staff privately discussing exercising their rights for a fairer workplace and a collective voice," Marshall stated. "Management are showing they don’t care about delays to GTA VI, and that they’re prioritising union busting by targeting the very people who make the game."
Marshall also highlighted a significant financial incentive for the company, noting, "In recent years, Rockstar executives have benefited from £443 million in tax relief, while showing total disregard for the law or the livelihoods of their staff. At every turn, they’ve chosen profits over both workers and fans of their games."
What Does This Mean for GTA 6?
The ongoing turmoil inevitably raises questions about the potential impact on Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most eagerly awaited titles in video game history. The game is currently slated for a release in May 2026, but the industry has been rife with speculation about potential delays.
It remains unclear what role the fired employees played in the development of GTA 6. If they were in key positions, the loss of their expertise and the current internal discord could disrupt development timelines. Conversely, if Rockstar's assessment is accurate and they were indeed a source of internal leaks, the company may see the firings as a necessary step to protect the project's secrecy.
For now, the situation remains at a stalemate. Rockstar and Take-Two have not issued any new comments following the start of the protests. As former employees continue to rally for their jobs, the gaming world watches closely, waiting to see if this internal conflict will ultimately affect the crown jewel of Rockstar's upcoming lineup.
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