Rockstar Games is accused of wrongfully firing more than 30 members of its UK team for engaging in union activities.
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) described the move as a “calculated attack on workers”.
The victims were reportedly fired on October 30, 2025. They were all members of a private union Discord channel and members of the IWGB.
IWGB organizers explained that some of those affected were relying on major workplace health care schemes and visas sponsored by Rockstar, which is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive.
“Rockstar has just committed the most egregious and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the gaming industry. This blatant disregard for the law and the lives of the workers who make their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.” said IWGB President Alex Marshall in a statement.
“Despite this deliberate attack on workers who are uniting for a collective voice and improving their difficult working conditions, the Rockstar Union is not giving up. They will continue to unite for respect and better conditions, continuing to pour their blood, sweat and creativity into the games that millions love.”
Marshall said the IWGB will pursue every possible legal action to ensure its members are reinstated and receive temporary relief.
In a statement provided to BloombergTake-Two Interactive's head of global communications Alan Lewis said the dismissals were “for gross misconduct and for no other reason.”
Speaking to Game Developer earlier today, an IWGB spokesperson said there was no evidence that those fired were guilty of “gross misconduct”. Notably, they stated that the employees were not informed of this alleged reason at the time of their termination.
The IWGB is still exploring what legal action can be taken. The games developer understands that the union currently represents about 10 percent of Rockstar UK.
The news comes just a few months before Grand Craft Auto VI scheduled to launch in May 2026. Analysts believe the open-world game could generate $10 billion in revenue (via Telegraph). His predecessor Grand Theft Auto Vremains extremely profitable for Take-Two, despite being released over a decade ago and selling over 215 million copies worldwide.
IWGB games union chairman Spring McParlin-Jones said Rockstar's “attack” on the rights of those responsible for creating one of its most valuable franchises sends a clear message that “money is more important than people.”
The game developer reached out to Take-Two for comment and received the following statement from representative Alan Lewis:
“We are committed to building the world's best entertainment properties by providing our best-in-class creative teams with a positive work environment and ongoing career opportunities. Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence and kindness. Rockstar Games has fired a small number of people for gross misconduct and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar's ambitions and approach.”
