After years of being the powerhouse behind one of gaming’s biggest franchises, Rockstar Games now finds itself in a legal storm.
The developer is facing formal legal action from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) over the recent dismissal of 31 employees who were reportedly involved in early unionization discussions at the company’s UK studios.
The case has now reached the UK Employment Tribunal and accuses Rockstar of unfair dismissal, trade-union victimization, and blacklisting, which could have lasting effects on labor rights in the gaming industry.
How Did This All Start?
At the end of October 2025, more than 30 Rockstar developers in the UK and Canada were abruptly fired.
Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, claimed the reason was “gross misconduct.”
According to internal statements, those workers allegedly shared “confidential information in a public forum,” in violation of company policy.
But according to the IWGB, those so-called leaks were nothing more than private conversations among colleagues about their working conditions and union organization on a closed Discord server.
The union described the event as “one of the most brazen acts of union busting the UK games industry has ever seen.”
Attempts to resolve the issue quietly fell apart after Rockstar declined to meet with the union to discuss the matter.
In response, IWGB filed a formal claim asserting that the company’s actions directly targeted workers involved in organizing efforts.
What Are the Union’s Claims Against Rockstar?
IWGB’s lawyers allege that Rockstar’s behavior constitutes a clear violation of labor protections under UK law.
The complaint claims the company punished employees for taking part in lawful union activities rather than for any real breach of confidentiality.
Union president Alex Marshall said in a statement that what Rockstar calls “leaking” was actually protected organizing activity and that “contractual clauses cannot override those rights.”
Marshall pointed out that online spaces like Discord servers are protected in the same way as in-person meeting rooms.
“Employers like Rockstar should understand that trade-union spaces, online or offline, are safeguarded,” he said, adding that the union would not be intimidated by corporate pressure.
The IWGB also accused Rockstar of attempting to use its power and reputation to silence organizing efforts before they gained traction.
Union members reported that the company had brushed off earlier discussions, so filing a case became the only option left.
The case has since been filed with the Employment Tribunal, though a hearing date will depend on the court’s growing backlog.
Take-Two Interactive says the dismissals were warranted due to breaches of confidentiality.
The publisher reiterated that the dismissals were unrelated to union discussions and said it “fully supports Rockstar’s approach.”
Since the legal dispute began, Rockstar hasn’t offered any follow-up comments.
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