Rockstar’s Staff Cuts Before GTA 6: Union-Busting Allegations, Misconduct Claims, and What Comes Next

Rockstar Games, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto 6, has dismissed between 30 and 40 employees across the UK and Canada, igniting a fierce dispute over why those people were let go. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) says the move was a blatant act of union busting aimed at workers who were union members or involved in organizing.

Publisher Take-Two, speaking for Rockstar, rejects that account and maintains the terminations were for gross misconduct – and for no other reason.

Why the timing matters

The cuts arrive as Rockstar approaches what may be the most commercially important release in its history. Analysts have projected that GTA 6 could generate billions in its first year, and anticipation has only intensified thanks to the studio’s deliberately sparse marketing. Security has been a flashpoint since the 2022 development leak and the first trailer’s day-early release the following year. Since then, leadership has tightened controls, including a controversial push back to five days a week in the office – framed internally as necessary for both productivity and security, and criticized by IWGB-affiliated workers as a broken promise and a refusal to engage with staff concerns.

Two stories, one flashpoint

At the core is a stark disagreement. The union argues that the targeted workers had one thing in common: organizing. Management counters that the only common thread was serious policy violations. Gross misconduct usually refers to actions like harassment, fraud, theft, or significant breaches of confidentiality. Skeptics question how dozens of people could simultaneously commit misconduct at that level without the company offering concrete examples; supporters of Rockstar argue that leaking or sharing protected information – even in a private Discord – could justify instant dismissal under strict NDA regimes. Both narratives could theoretically fit the same facts, which is exactly why this story is so combustible.

What the law may decide

In practice, disputes like this are resolved through formal processes, not press releases. In the UK or Canada, potential avenues include unfair dismissal claims, labor tribunal hearings, or arbitration – routes that can verify whether dismissals were connected to protected union activity or whether there’s evidence of severe policy breaches. Absent public filings, definitive answers are unlikely to emerge quickly. Settlements are also common, and those keep the details confidential.

Working conditions: security vs. sustainability

The layoffs reopen long-running industry debates. On one side, studios emphasize the need for tighter on-site workflows close to launch to reduce risk and speed iteration. On the other, workers describe the reality of crunch – extended weeks and long days – arguing that sustainable staffing and genuine consultation lead to fewer mistakes and better games. When a team is ordered back to the office full-time after hybrid periods, trust can fray – especially if employees believe prior assurances were reversed.

Will this affect GTA 6?

Fans are split. Some see the dismissals as a red flag for the schedule; others think the core shipping plan remains intact, with large publishers often insulating critical milestones from personnel turbulence. At this moment, there’s no verified evidence that the release window is changing – only speculation fueled by the controversy and the proximity to launch.

The bigger picture

Whatever the legal outcome, the stakes go beyond a single studio. If the IWGB ultimately proves its case, it would echo across the industry as a warning against retaliating over organizing. If Rockstar’s misconduct rationale stands, it will strengthen studios’ ability to enforce NDAs and security protocols – particularly in the shadow of high-profile leaks. Either way, the lesson is the same: transparency, credible processes, and worker engagement are essential when livelihoods and a once-in-a-decade release are on the line.

Bottom line: We have two incompatible explanations, high tension around security and return-to-office, and the world’s most-watched game looming. Until formal proceedings surface, the truth will live in competing statements and the court of public opinion.