A verified Rockstar employee has posted a detailed statement accusing the company of firing more than 34 workers in the UK and Canada as part of a union-busting effort.
The post comes after Rockstar delayed Grand Theft Auto VI to November 19, 2026, raising wider questions about the studio’s internal state as it pushes toward launch.
Worker Says Firings Came With No Evidence
According to the employee who posted on the GTAForums, HR contacted staff members individually for what was described as a short, friendly meeting. Once inside, workers were handed envelopes stating they were being terminated for “gross misconduct” tied to activity in a private Discord server. No evidence was presented. No specifics were given. The employee says the letter claimed there was “no other reason.”
For those not in the office, HR reportedly called them, fired them in under two minutes, and ended the call even when one worker had a panic attack.
The poster says this included senior artists, animators, designers, producers, programmers, and QA testers — including people with more than 18 years at Rockstar and no disciplinary record.
Protests have broken out outside Rockstar Games Edinburgh studio and Take-Two's office in London
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) November 6, 2025
Protesters accuse the company of union busting after it fired 30-40 staff, but Rockstar says they were fired for leaking company secrets pic.twitter.com/2OebwOeEM7
Union Says This Violates UK Law
The employee says workers were denied the right to union representation during the termination meeting, which is illegal under UK employment law. They were then escorted out of the studio in minutes.
Some of those fired were reportedly recovering from surgery, out sick, or on paternity leave. Others risk losing work visas.
“This Was Union Busting and Nothing Else”
The employee states the Discord server at the center of the accusations did not contain leaks of Rockstar projects. Instead, they say it was a private server for employees and IWGB union officials, focused on working conditions and organizing.
Every worker fired was a union member.
The timing is also noteworthy: the employee says the union had just passed 200 members, hitting the 10% threshold needed to request formal recognition and begin collective bargaining. The alleged firings targeted union organizing committees across multiple Rockstar studios.
Morale Inside Rockstar Is “Rock Bottom”
The employee describes the internal atmosphere as tense and fearful. Workers reportedly avoid talking in common areas, worry they’ll be next, and are reluctant to acknowledge colleagues protesting outside.
They say “trust and confidence” inside the studio is gone, and excitement for the GTA VI cycle has collapsed into anxiety.
Union Plans Legal Action
The union intends to challenge every dismissal. The employee calls the fight “critical,” warning that if Rockstar succeeds, more mass firings could follow.
A fundraiser supporting the dismissed workers is now circulating.
What This Means Amid GTA VI’s Delay
The timing is hard to ignore. Rockstar delayed Grand Theft Auto VI by another six months, citing the need for additional polish. The employee’s claims suggest deeper turmoil behind the scenes, with senior staff removed just as the company moves into the most demanding phase of development.
If true, the loss of key artists, designers, and producers could hit scheduling, workload, and overall stability.
This story will continue to develop as more workers come forward or Rockstar responds publicly.
