Employees at Rockstar Games, the maker of Grand Theft Auto, are seeking official union recognition following mass sackings last year. The move comes ahead of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for November, which is expected to be one of the bestselling games of all time.
Unionisation Efforts
Video game designers and other staff are working with the IWGB Game Workers Union to secure unionisation before the game's launch. If successful, Rockstar would become the second UK games studio with a recognised union, after ZA/UM achieved recognition in October 2025. Formal recognition would allow workers to engage in collective bargaining with management and gain additional workplace protections.
Background of Mass Firings
Rockstar faced accusations of “union busting” after dismissing 31 union members in October 2024. The IWGB is challenging these dismissals through an employment tribunal, with a final hearing set for September. The company claimed the workers were fired for sharing confidential information, including specific game features, in a public forum. The union argues the dismissals were linked to union activity.
Worker Perspectives
Jordan Garland, a former employee with 11 years at the company, stated: “We hope Rockstar voluntarily recognises the union; we are inviting Rockstar to meet us and make it a celebration of people who make the games possible.” He emphasised that unionisation aims to prevent such sackings from recurring, not just at Rockstar but across the industry. Garland described the video games industry as “layoff intensive” due to “greed”, noting that large acquisitions of smaller studios have led to streamlining and worsening conditions for workers.
Shanti Easton-Steel, production coordinator at Rockstar North in Edinburgh, said: “It’s thanks to the hard work of so many of our members – both those currently with us and those who were fired last October – that we are now in a strong enough position to pursue formal recognition.” She added that honouring dismissed colleagues means succeeding in the fight they started.
Potential Strike Action
If voluntary recognition is not granted, further organising, including potential strike action, may occur to ensure union recognition.
Industry and Financial Context
GTA VI pre-orders reportedly generated $3bn (£2.27bn). Alex Marshall, IWGB president, said: “Many people assumed that Rockstar dismissing 31 union members last year would weaken organising at the company – but in fact the union is now stronger than ever. GTA VI has reportedly already generated more than $3bn in preorder sales. Rockstar bosses can easily afford to sit around the table with the people whose hard work created these games, and give them a meaningful voice in their workplace.”
Rockstar has been contacted for comment. Previously, the company stated that dismissals were for breaching policy by sharing confidential information, and denied any link to union membership.
