Is Rockstar Games Undermining Union Activity?
OPla G
today 14:08
8
0For many industries, including gaming, the past few years have been marked by constant layoffs. Rockstar Games, however, has managed not only to avoid this trend but also to keep expanding its teams — especially relevant ahead of what’s expected to be the biggest release in history: the long-awaited GTA 6. Yet the company has now found itself at the center of another controversy involving terminations.
On Thursday, October 30, more than thirty employees from several departments in the UK and Canada lost their jobs. All of them had been part of a private Discord chat where they discussed the possibility of forming a union. This was reported by representatives of the gaming division of the Independent Workers of Great Britain, the same union that recently supported the developers of MindsEye.
Alan Lewis, a spokesperson for Take-Two, said the decision was based on “gross misconduct, and for no other reason”. He also expressed “fully support studio’s ambitions and approach”.
R* management has previously clashed with IWGB when brought employees back to the office after remote work, citing the need to improve security following multiple leaks.
For a company employing an estimated six thousand people, thirty layoffs may seem insignificant. They won’t affect productivity — but if it’s confirmed that the dismissals were linked to union organizing, the reputational damage could be much more serious.
On Thursday, October 30, more than thirty employees from several departments in the UK and Canada lost their jobs. All of them had been part of a private Discord chat where they discussed the possibility of forming a union. This was reported by representatives of the gaming division of the Independent Workers of Great Britain, the same union that recently supported the developers of MindsEye.
This is the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry. Yesterday, @RockstarGames fired over 30 employees for union activity.
— IWGB Game Workers (@IWGB_GW) October 31, 2025
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated. https://t.co/Pk3kVcuzUn
R* management has previously clashed with IWGB when brought employees back to the office after remote work, citing the need to improve security following multiple leaks.
For a company employing an estimated six thousand people, thirty layoffs may seem insignificant. They won’t affect productivity — but if it’s confirmed that the dismissals were linked to union organizing, the reputational damage could be much more serious.
1