Fired Rockstar Employees Urge Fans Not to Boycott GTA 6

Former Rockstar Games employees currently locked in a legal dispute with the studio have asked fans not to boycott the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6. The workers are instead encouraging supporters to purchase T-shirts to help fund their ongoing legal costs.

The request comes after 34 staff members—31 based in the UK and three in Canada—were dismissed late last year. According to Rockstar Games, the terminations were the result of leaks involving GTA 6 features, project timelines, and internal IT security protocols shared on Discord. However, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has alleged that the dismissals were actually an act of "union-busting."

Labor Tensions at Rockstar

This conflict is unfolding amid a broader push for labor organization within the studio. In June, developers applied for voluntary recognition of the IWGB Game Workers Union. The goal of the unionization effort is to secure collective bargaining rights to address issues such as "crunch"—the industry term for excessive overtime—and a lack of pay transparency.

Rockstar has historically maintained a zero-tolerance policy regarding the disclosure of confidential information. The company has cited previous dismissals in the UK, US, and India as evidence of its strict stance on corporate secrecy.

The Stakes for the Industry

The dispute highlights a growing friction between the extreme secrecy required by AAA gaming giants and a rising movement toward worker organization. For the employees, the fight is about more than just their jobs; it is about the right to organize without fear of retaliation. Jack Hoxby, a fired member of the IWGB Game Workers Branch, emphasized the workers' connection to the project, stating, "We poured years of our lives into helping build this game. We don't want you to boycott it. We want you to help us fight for justice."

What to Watch

As the legal proceedings continue in Glasgow, the outcome is expected to set a significant precedent for the gaming industry. The court's decision will likely determine whether "leaking" can be used as a legitimate legal justification for dismissing employees who are actively involved in union activities. For now, the former staff remain focused on securing financial support from the community to sustain their challenge against the studio.