Katarzyna Petru
There has been a stir in the gaming industry. A few days ago, the news spread that Rockstar Games fired over 30 creators of GTA 6, allegedly for union activity. Now the studio has spoken up – and claims that the truth looks completely different.
Layoffs Just Before the Release of GTA 6
According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), Rockstar's decision was an attempt to intimidate and dismantle union structures. Among those laid off were employees from the UK and Canada who belonged to a private Discord group linked to the labor organization.
“Rockstar is afraid of employees who talk about fair working conditions. Management shows that more than the delays of GTA VI, they fear the strong voice of their people,” commented Alex Marshall, president of IWGB.
Rockstar's Statement: "It was a breach of security protocols"
In an interview with Jason Schreier from Bloomberg, a spokesperson for Rockstar Games denied that the layoffs were related to labor unions.
“Last week, we took action against a small group of individuals who were disseminating and discussing confidential information on a public forum, which constituted a violation of company policy. It had nothing to do with union activity,” the studio representative said.
According to Bloomberg, Rockstar considered the actions of these individuals to be a "serious breach of conduct", related to the disclosure of confidential project data.
Background: After the GTA 6 Leak, the Studio Tightened Its Rules
Rockstar has long been known for its exceptionally strict security policies. After the notorious leak of 2022, when materials from an early version of GTA 6 hit the internet, the company significantly tightened its internal policy. In 2024, the studio mandated all employees to return to the office full-time, explaining this as a necessity to protect data. IWGB then deemed this move as “reckless” and detrimental to remote workers.
Schreier: "The case is unclear - it may end up in court"
Jason Schreier noted that Rockstar's statement is exceptionally vague and does not specify what "confidential information" the terminated employees were supposed to discuss.
According to his sources, it rather concerns conversations on a private union Discord, rather than actual leaks from GTA 6. The journalist suggests that the case may go to court, and Rockstar's defense will be based on the allegation of "breach of corporate confidentiality."
GTA 6 in the Shadow of Controversy
Layoffs, accusations of "breaking up relationships," and concerns about the atmosphere in the studio are the latest tumultuous chapters in the history of GTA 6's development. Nonetheless, Rockstar assures that work on the game is proceeding as planned – and the title's release is still scheduled for 2025.
