Rockstar Games, the company behind the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, is facing accusations of trying to prevent its employees from forming a union. Last week, the company reportedly let go of 30 to 40 workers in the U.K. and Canada, according to a Bloomberg report.
According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the workers were talking about forming a union in a Discord chat.
According to Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB, Rockstar’s recent actions represent a particularly aggressive and harsh attempt to prevent unionization – one of the worst the video game industry has ever seen. He argues that this disregard for both the law and the well-being of its employees, who generate billions in revenue, is deeply disrespectful to fans and the broader gaming community.
Take-Two Interactive, the company that owns Rockstar Games, told Bloomberg that the recent layoffs were due to serious inappropriate behavior. They also stated their support for Rockstar’s decision.
On Tuesday, the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, stated its support for IWGB and its members.
The work our union members do on Rockstar games is essential to the success and lasting impact of titles like Grand Theft Auto. We believe all Rockstar employees deserve the same fair treatment and opportunities. We stand united in this effort.
SAG-AFTRA
Originally planned for 2024, Grand Theft Auto 6 is now expected to release on May 26, 2026, for both Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
Unionization in the gaming industry is growing, but has a ways to go
Workers in the gaming industry are increasingly interested in forming unions. Several new unions have recently been established at game studios in North America, especially within Microsoft’s Xbox division.
Blizzard Entertainment has experienced significant union activity, with workers organizing across many of its key teams, including those responsible for World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2, Diablo, Hearthstone, Battle.net, and story development.
Microsoft’s gaming division also includes several other major unions, such as those representing quality assurance at Activision, developers at Bethesda Game Studios, and staff at ZeniMax Online Studios, among many others.
The teams are currently finalizing a contract agreement. Other Microsoft unions, like the quality assurance team at ZeniMax, have already successfully negotiated and signed contracts.
FAQ
What exactly is unionization?
Unionization happens when workers join together to negotiate with their employers as a group, often based on their profession. They typically do this to create a better work environment, seeking improvements like higher wages, better benefits, and more favorable working conditions.
Employees and management come to an agreement, and workers have the right to go on strike if management doesn’t keep their promises or won’t negotiate with the union.
When will Grand Theft Auto 6 be released?
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch on May 26, 2026.
How much does Grand Theft Auto 6 cost?
The price of Grand Theft Auto 6 hasn’t been revealed yet. Most new games currently cost around $70 in the U.S., though a few Nintendo games are priced at $80.
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2025-11-05 16:24