Rockstar Games recently fired 34 employees, 31 from the UK and 3 from Canada, alleging they leaked confidential game features. This decision has sparked protests and raised concerns regarding labor rights and union representation.
Details of the Dismissals
Rockstar asserts that the terminations, which occurred at the end of October 2025, were due to the employees sharing information on Discord, a public forum. The company claims this breach of policy and legal obligations justifies their actions.
Protests and Reactions
- Protests took place outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh office and Take-Two’s London headquarters.
- The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is representing the dismissed staff.
- 220 letters demanding the reinstatement of the fired employees were sent to management.
The IWGB contends that the terminated workers communicated solely in private channels that are legally protected for union activities. They refute Rockstar’s claims, asserting that these dismissals are linked to union membership efforts.
Political Response
The situation caught the attention of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. During a recent session in Parliament, the Prime Minister described the dismissals as “deeply concerning” and pledged a government investigation.
Concerns Raised by MPs
Chris Murray, the local MP for Rockstar North, expressed serious concerns during the discussion. He indicated a lack of evidence provided for the dismissals and criticized Rockstar for their apparent disregard of employment law.
He noted that discussions with Rockstar were marred by initial demands for a non-disclosure agreement, which eventually were retracted. Murray emphasized that this raised doubts about the fairness of Rockstar’s dismissal process.
Legal Action by the IWGB
The IWGB has filed legal claims against Rockstar, alleging that the firings are a form of trade union victimization and blacklisting. This case will now be examined by a tribunal to assess the situation and see if the ex-employees qualify for any interim relief.
Take-Two’s Response
In response to inquiries regarding the firings, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick defended the company’s labor relations, expressing pride in their workplace culture. However, ongoing investigations and union claims suggest deeper issues concerning employee rights within the company.
