Rockstar Games labor complaints surface as Sony ends physical disc releases

Unionized workers at Rockstar Games have accused the studio of gender pay gaps, opaque bonus criteria and mandatory crunch periods, citing a UK contract clause that forces opt‑out from overtime protections. The company’s owner, Take‑Two Interactive, said it is open to dialogue and highlighted its employee retention rates.

Sony announced that, beginning in January 2028, all new PlayStation titles will be released digitally only, ending production of physical game discs. The plan also includes a phased shutdown of the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita, with the PS3/Vita closures slated for 2027‑2028.

Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for a November 2026 launch, became the top‑preordered game on the PlayStation Store, with the standard and Ultimate editions driving record‑breaking revenue – analysts estimate up to $1 billion in the first hour of pre‑order sales, boosting Take‑Two’s stock. The digital‑only launch aligns with Sony’s disc‑phaseout, prompting criticism that consumers lose ownership rights and that physical retailers will suffer.

These developments link Rockstar’s internal disputes, Take‑Two’s financial surge, and Sony’s shift to a fully digital distribution model, reshaping how major console games will be sold and supported.