Rockstar Games Denies Union-Busting Claims, Says Employee Firings Were Due to Leaks

Rockstar Games has clarified the reasons behind its recent employee dismissals, stating that dozens of staff were let go for leaking confidential company information.

Rockstar Games denies union-busting, says firings were for leaking confidential information as GTA VI’s 2026 launch approaches

Last week, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that between 30 and 40 employees across Rockstar’s UK and Canada studios had been dismissed. The news quickly sparked debate, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain suggesting the move was an attempt to block unionization efforts. That claim was denied almost immediately by Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, which said the firings were due to “gross misconduct and for no other reason.”

Now, Rockstar has expanded on its explanation. In a follow-up shared by Schreier, a company spokesperson said the employees were caught “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum,” which included individuals outside of Rockstar. The spokesperson emphasized that the decision was not connected to union activity, but rather to violations of company policy.

If you’ve been following Rockstar closely, you’ll know why the studio is being extra cautious. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release on May 26, 2026, and anticipation is sky-high. With projections already calling it one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, any leaks could have major consequences. While Rockstar hasn’t confirmed what kind of information was shared, speculation naturally points toward details of GTA 6.

It’s worth remembering that Rockstar has already dealt with one of the largest leaks in gaming history. Back in 2022, dozens of GTA 6 gameplay clips surfaced online, leading to the arrest of the individual responsible. That incident left a lasting mark on the studio, and it’s easy to see why management is determined to prevent a repeat.

As Take-Two prepares for its upcoming earnings report on November 6, we may hear more about how the company is handling internal challenges while pushing forward with GTA 6.