Over 30 former employees of Rockstar Games have been denied their request for provisional relief in an ongoing lawsuit against the company behind the eagerly awaited video game, *Grand Theft Auto 6*. A UK employment tribunal has determined it was not able to ascertain whether the terminations were predominantly linked to the employees’ affiliation with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). Consequently, the legal process will proceed without immediate compensation for the dismissed developers.
The dispute originates from the termination of 31 UK developers last year, which Rockstar attributes to the leakage of confidential materials in a Discord channel set up by the IWGB. This channel was designed to facilitate the organization of union activities among video game developers. From Rockstar’s standpoint, sensitive data regarding development timelines and game features was revealed, thus justifying the dismissals. In contrast, the IWGB argues that no sensitive data was disclosed and claims that the terminations represent a breach of labor rights and an effort to undermine union activities.
Judge Frances Eccles, who oversaw the initial decision, remarked that the Discord channel had roughly 350 members, including several ex-Rockstar employees known for publicly engaging with the company. A spokesperson for Rockstar highlighted that while some current employees who advocated for unionization were unaffected, the layoffs were specifically tied to the mishandling of company information.
Following the tribunal’s ruling, a Rockstar representative commented, “We regret that we found ourselves in a position where terminations became unavoidable, but we uphold our actions in light of the outcome of this hearing.” The company accepted the tribunal’s ruling, which is consistent with its stance throughout the ongoing conflict.
Nonetheless, the IWGB maintains that Rockstar did not comply with standard procedural protocols during the dismissal process, as there were reportedly no disciplinary meetings, investigations, or chances for the employees to contest the company’s actions. The union additionally claims that Rockstar conducted secret monitoring of employees on Discord by masquerading as a union staff member. They pointed to the judge’s remarks indicating a lack of evidence of negative repercussions stemming from the supposed leaks as a sign that Rockstar’s response was disproportionate.
IWGB president Alex Marshall voiced assurance in their case despite the tribunal’s ruling. He declared, “We emerged from last week’s hearing more assured than ever that a comprehensive and thorough tribunal will deem Rockstar’s strategic effort to dismantle a union as not just unjust but illegal.” As the case moves forward, a full hearing will examine the claims in greater depth, potentially having a significant effect on unionization attempts within the gaming studio.
The results of this legal struggle are anticipated to emerge ahead of the planned release of *Grand Theft Auto 6* in November, a timeline that heightens the urgency of the proceedings as the game’s launch nears.
