Rockstar Games, the developer behind the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, is currently under intense scrutiny after terminating 30–40 employees across its United Kingdom and California offices.

This action has triggered allegations of union-busting from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, which claims that all of the dismissed staff were involved in union-related activities.

According to various sources, the affected developers worked in multiple departments and were part of a private Discord group where they discussed unionization.

Among the employees, some were already union members, while others were reportedly planning to organize within the company.

The president of the IWGB, Alex Marshall, described the incident as “the most blatant and ruthless act of union-busting in the history of the gaming industry.”

He also accused Rockstar of showing “flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of workers who bring in their billions,” calling the act an insult to both employees and fans.

Take-Two Interactive also responded to the accusations. Rockstar defended the terminations, claiming that the employees were fired for “gross misconduct” and not for their union activities.

Alan Lewis, a spokesperson for Take-Two, stated that the company “fully supports Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.”

The controversy arises at a critical time for Rockstar, as they are just a few months away from the scheduled release of GTA 6 in May 2026.

During the final phase of game development, Rockstar was already under intense pressure, and the firings of employees involved in union activities have sparked significant public criticism.

Industry observers note that this issue highlights broader challenges in the gaming industry, including workplace culture, mandatory return-to-office policies, and the lack of union representation.

If the allegations are proven, this could mark a major turning point for labor rights in the video game industry, potentially leading to new legal actions and reforms. The situation has made this one of the most significant labor-related controversies in gaming history.

All of this information is based on various leaks and sources. To uncover the full truth, we will have to wait for an official announcement or any legal actions to emerge.