Former Rockstar Games employees who were fired in November 2025 have asked the player base to avoid boycotting Grand Theft Auto VI. Instead, the group is encouraging fans to support their ongoing legal battle by purchasing union-branded merchandise.
Quick Facts
- The Group: 34 former Rockstar staff members were fired last year following discussions about company Slack policies in a union-run Discord server.
- Legal Status: A final trial regarding the firings is set to begin on September 10, 2026.
- Support Mechanism: Supporters can purchase 'Rockstar 34 Solidarity' t-shirts for £25 via the IWGB Game Workers' website to fund the developers' legal costs.
- Deadline: Pre-orders for the merchandise close on August 30, 2026, with shipping expected by mid-September.
The firing of the 34 staff members led to accusations of union busting by the Independent Workers’ union of Great Britain (IWGB). Rockstar has stated the employees were fired for leaking confidential information on a public forum. As the legal proceedings move toward the September trial, the remaining staff at the studio have formed the Rockstar Games Workers Union and are actively seeking formal recognition from company management.
Jack Hoxby, a member of the IWGB Game Workers branch and one of the fired developers, emphasized that despite their dispute with the company, the staff does not want to penalize players or the game itself. “We poured years of our lives into helping build this game,” Hoxby said. “We don’t want you to boycott it. We want you to help us fight for justice.”
While the legal outcome remains uncertain, the formation of the Rockstar Games Workers Union and their recent meetings with management represent the only confirmed organizational changes within the studio to date. The long-term impact of these internal labor disputes on the development of Grand Theft Auto VI or future company policies has not been disclosed by Rockstar Games.