Rockstar Games Accused of Union Busting After Firing Dozens of Employees Involved in Unionization Efforts

Rockstar Games, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, is facing serious accusations of union busting after reportedly firing between 30 and 40 employees across its UK and Canadian offices. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), all affected workers were involved in ongoing efforts to unionize within the company, a move that the union claims prompted the mass termination.

In a statement, Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB, condemned Rockstar’s actions in strong terms:

“Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry. This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry. Despite this calculated attack on workers organizing for a collective voice and to improve their difficult working conditions, the Rockstar Union remains undeterred. They will keep organizing for respect and better conditions whilst continuing to pour their blood, sweat and creativity into games that are loved by millions. The IWGB will pursue every legal claim possible to ensure our members are reinstated and receive interim relief.”

Spring Mcparlin-Jones, Chair of the IWGB Game Workers Union, also criticized the company’s decision, highlighting the stark contrast between Rockstar’s financial success and its treatment of employees:

“Next year, GTA VI is expected to make upwards of $10 billion. That’s enough to end world hunger for a year. Such a flagrant attack on workers’ rights from such a valuable studio sends a very clear and shocking message to the world, that money matters more than people.”

In response, Alan Lewis, Head of Global Corporate Communications at Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, told Bloomberg that the employees were terminated for “gross misconduct”, and that Take-Two supports Rockstar’s actions. No specific details about the alleged misconduct were shared.

The IWGB has announced plans to pursue legal action against Rockstar, alleging violations of labor law and retaliation against organizing workers. This incident adds fuel to the growing conversation around unionization in the video game industry, a movement that has been gaining momentum in recent years.

In the past three years, multiple studios have successfully unionized, including Blizzard Albany, Raven Software, Blizzard Irvine (World of Warcraft team), Blizzard Orange County (Overwatch 2 team), ZeniMax Workers United, and ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, which is also represented by the IWGB.

This marks one of the most high-profile union disputes in gaming, as Rockstar Games, one of the most profitable and globally recognized studios, faces accusations of retaliating against workers organizing for improved conditions.

Meanwhile, Grand Theft Auto VI, the studio’s next flagship title, is currently slated for release on May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Originally planned for Fall 2025, the game was delayed earlier this year, and further postponements are not ruled out, given Rockstar’s history with long development cycles and multiple delays, as seen with Red Dead Redemption 2.

 
Do you believe major studios like Rockstar can balance corporate success with fair labor practices, or will unionization continue to face resistance in the gaming industry?