Game creator sacked us for trying to unionise

Former employees at the firm behind Grand Theft Auto have told the BBC that the “devastating” mass layoff was allegedly caused by them trying to unionize.

In October, about 31 employees were fired for what Rockstar North called “gross misconduct.”

Most were based at the gaming giant's Edinburgh headquarters, with former workers claiming they were punished for discussing working conditions on a private online forum.

Rockstar North said it was incorrect to suggest the layoffs were related to union membership or activity. The company said it took action after employees discussed sensitive information, including specific features of future games, in a public forum.

The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) called it a “ruthless act of union-busting”.

Rockstar North is one of the largest game developers in the UK.

The upcoming GTA 6 is expected to become one of the best-selling games of all time when it releases in November 2026.

Game development information is tightly controlled throughout the gaming industry, with employees often signing legally binding non-disclosure agreements.

A group of workers regularly protest outside the Rockstar North offices in Edinburgh and London.

BBC Scotland News spoke to three sacked Edinburgh workers accused of leaking company information.

Jordan Garland, a former senior production coordinator, said many employees wanted to join the union because “we were so passionate about the industry and this place of work in particular.”

“We just looked at it as something we could do to make life better for everyone,” he added.

“So it's a little devastating because this is an industry that I love and I think we all love. We couldn't see ourselves anywhere else.”

He said employees discussed working conditions at the firm in a private digital forum.

Jordan added: “We talked about working conditions, politics – we didn't talk about projects or anything like that, we just talked about conditions.

“I think this is an important and necessary part of the organization. How can you organize a workplace if you can’t talk about the conditions there?”

Jordan worked for the company for 11 years and believes he was the first employee to be laid off on the morning of October 30th.

“The first week was definitely difficult,” he said. “There were a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of tossing and turning because of this.

“But in some ways it’s good that they laid off so many people because there’s a really strong community element now.”

Designer Jamie Trimmer worked in the games industry for most of his adult life before being fired from Rockstar North.

“I worked there for about 18 years,” he said. “I think I’m the longest-serving person who’s been laid off.

“That’s really all I know, and then it’s just kind of ripped out. I don't know what to do next.”

“I would never have expected them to resort to the nuclear option and fire so many of us at once. This highlights the need for unions.”

The group, along with their sacked colleagues, are now hoping to take Rockstar North to an employment tribunal.

However, they may have to wait up to a year for their case to be heard.

In the meantime, they are waiting to find out if they are eligible for an interim relief hearing that could see them reinstated to their positions or remain on Rockstar North's payroll.

The issue was also raised at Prime Minister's Questions at Westminster last week by MP Chris Murray.

Sir Keir Starmer said it was “deeply concerning” and promised to look into the matter.

He added: “Every worker has the right to join a trade union and we are committed to strengthening workers' rights and ensuring that they do not face unfair consequences for union membership.”

Sacked production co-ordinator Sarah Blackburn said public and political support had helped her cope.

“It’s really nice to hear that actually and in a way, I would say, affirming,” she said.

“We've gotten a lot of support from places I honestly didn't expect.

“We had people in unions who used to fight in different industries, mostly just showing solidarity and support. This is the flexibility of power, and it was painful to be on that side, but I think the support has been great.”

In a statement, Rockstar North told BBC Scotland News: “Rockstar Games has taken action against a small group of individuals across the UK and overseas who have been distributing and discussing confidential information (including specific game features from upcoming and unannounced games) in a public forum, in breach of company policy and their legal obligations.

“Claims that these terminations were related to union membership or activities are completely false and misleading.”