Rockstar Games faces UK unionisation fight ahead of GTA 6 launch

Rockstar Games dismissed 31 employees in October 2025, alleging gross misconduct for leaking confidential information about Grand Theft Auto VI. The workers, represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), claim the firings were retaliation for union‑busting and demand formal recognition of their union before the game’s scheduled release on 19 November 2026.

The IWGB has asked Rockstar to voluntarily recognize the union so it can negotiate on pay transparency, flexible working and limits on overtime (“crunch”). A UK employment tribunal is set to hear the case in September 2026, with the possibility of unfair‑dismissal and anti‑union claims. Rockstar has denied the allegations, stating the terminations were for NDA violations and that accusations of anti‑union practices are “false and misleading.”

British politicians, including Labour MPs, have called for the company to cooperate with the investigation. If successful, Rockstar would become only the second major UK video‑game studio to formally recognize a union, potentially reshaping labour relations in the industry as it prepares for one of the biggest game launches in history.