Rockstar Games Says Staff Fired for Sharing Confidential Game Features from GTA 6

Rockstar Games has confirmed that the recent dismissal of 34 employees across its UK and Canadian offices was due to breaches of company policy, specifically the leaking of confidential information from "upcoming titles."

Image: GTA 6 / Rockstar Games

The story began on October 30, when Rockstar laid off 31 staff members in the UK and 3 in Canada. The next day, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) was calling the move “an attempt at union busting.” Publisher Take-Two quickly stepped in, saying the dismissals were due to “gross misconduct, and for no other reason.”

Rockstar itself stayed quiet for a few days before clarifying that the firings were linked to staff allegedly “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum,” specifically Discord.

That explanation hasn’t stopped the backlash. Protests have taken place outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh and Take-Two’s London office. IWGB is preparing legal action, accusing the company of “trade union victimisation and blacklisting.” The union disputes Rockstar’s claim, insisting the affected employees only communicated in private, legally protected union channels.

The issue has even reached the UK Parliament. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the case “deeply concerning” and promised ministers would investigate. During Prime Minister’s Questions, local MP Chris Murray criticized Rockstar for failing to provide evidence or union representation during the dismissals, adding fuel to the fire.

Facing mounting pressure, Rockstar has now issued a statement to IGN:

“Rockstar Games took action against a small group of individuals, across the UK and internationally, who distributed and discussed confidential information (including specific game features from upcoming and unannounced titles) in a public forum, in breach of company policy and their legal obligations. Claims that these dismissals were linked to union membership or activities are entirely false and misleading.”

For now, the only officially confirmed project at Rockstar is Grand Theft Auto 6. But the mention of “unannounced titles” in the statement has sparked speculation. Fans have long debated the possibility of a GTA IV remaster, and many believe Red Dead Redemption 3 is inevitable, though the latter remains highly unlikely for now.