Rockstar’s decision to abruptly fire 34 employees in October 2025 has become one of the most contentious moments in the studio’s modern history.
At first, Rockstar framed the move as a necessary response to “gross misconduct,” alleging that internal information had been leaked outside approved channels.
But once new reports came out, especially those based on leaked Discord chats, the whole picture started to look more complicated.
It went from a disciplinary action to an issue about communication, corporate control, and Rockstar’s tense relationship with its union.
What Role Did the Union-Run Discord Actually Play?
The controversy centers on a union-run Discord server that had quietly existed since 2022.
Far from being a secret space for leaking GTA 6 or Red Dead content, it functioned as a digital gathering point for staff who wanted to talk about their work conditions, pay structures, internal policies, and the union movement itself.
Staff entered through organizer invites, and the server divided new members into general channels while giving verified union members access to private sections.
The server had reportedly grown past 300 members, mainly Rockstar North staff and IWGB reps, and included rules on what could or couldn’t be discussed.
Several workers insist they never saw confidential development materials discussed there.
How Did Rockstar’s Slack Crackdown Trigger the Backlash?
The problems began when Rockstar dramatically reshaped its internal Slack environment in early October 2025.
Many community-focused Slack channels, including pets, hobbies, gaming, and crafts, disappeared with barely any advance notice.
Management claimed these channels were undermining professionalism and distracting teams.
To plenty of staff, it seemed like the move stripped away the support system they had.
The leaked logs show people asking if the channels truly disrupted productivity and if the morale damage was worth it.
How Did an After-Hours Email Escalate Into a Major Issue?
The breaking point looks linked to an internal Slack-related email, and reports state that Rockstar’s system shuts off employee email access after they clock out.
Despite that, the message announcing the new Slack rules was sent after 5 p.m. UK time, meaning many staff couldn’t read it when it went out.
Because of this, some employees who were still in the office copied the contents of the email into the union Discord so everyone could stay informed.
One message quoted parts of the email, while another included a typed-out transcription made from a photo captured at someone’s desk.
To the workers, this was practical, harmless communication about policy changes affecting everyone.
To Rockstar, this was the moment where internal information crossed into an external platform.
How Did Management Get Involved and Launch an Investigation?
According to People Make Games, one member of the union Discord approached management to express discomfort about what was being posted there, specifically pointing to the sharing of internal guidelines.
That detail looks like the spark that led Rockstar to launch a bigger review, securing the Discord chat history one way or another and comparing the messages to the people involved.
The investigation began in mid-October; by the end of the month, 34 workers were dismissed.
Rockstar and Take-Two stand firm on their explanation: they say the employees distributed confidential information in a public forum, and that the firings had nothing to do with unionization.
With Rockstar’s history of massive leaks (like the infamous GTA 6 data breach in 2022) the company emphasizes its need for strict internal controls.
From their perspective, sharing internal emails to an unofficial server clearly violates policy, regardless of content.
Why Do Fired Workers Say This Was Union-Busting?
The workers and the IWGB insist the server wasn’t a place for leaks at all, stressing that it included explicit rules blocking users from sharing sensitive material.
They emphasize that the messages Rockstar reviewed were not about GTA 6 content; they were about workplace changes, morale issues, email policies, and organizing efforts.
They also highlight the timing: the union had just passed the legal threshold to request formal recognition in the UK.
By firing dozens of union members at once, Rockstar effectively brought membership numbers below that threshold again.
Many of those fired had been with Rockstar for years (some over a decade).
Others were in the UK on work visas, and now risk deportation following their dismissal.
Protests erupted outside Rockstar and Take-Two offices in Edinburgh and London, with fired employees calling for reinstatement and alleging unfair dismissal.
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