Grand Theft Auto game creator sacked us for trying to unionise

18 hours agoShareSaveHope WebbBBC Scotland reporterShareSaveBBCThe workers have been protesting outside the firm's headquarters in Edinburgh and London

Former staff at the firm behind Grand Theft Auto have told the BBC that a "devastating" mass sacking took place allegedly because they tried to unionise.

Some 31 employees were dismissed in October for what Rockstar North called "gross misconduct".

The majority were based at the gaming giant's Edinburgh headquarters, with former workers claiming they were penalised for discussing working conditions in a private online forum.

Rockstar North said it was incorrect to suggest the dismissals were linked to union membership or activities. It said it took action after staff discussed confidential information, including specific game features from upcoming titles, in a public forum.

The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) called it a "ruthless act of union-busting".

Grand Theft Auto studio accused of 'union busting' after sacking workers

Grand Theft Auto 6 delayed until May 2026

Rockstar North is one of the UK's largest game developers.

Outsourcing IT services.grand theft auto

Its upcoming GTA 6 game is expected to be one of the best-selling games of all time when it is released in November 2026.

Information about game development is tightly controlled across the gaming industry, with employees often signing legally binding agreements not to share confidential information.

A group of workers have been routinely protesting outside Rockstar North's Edinburgh and London offices.

BBC Scotland News has now spoken to three of the dismissed Edinburgh workers accused of disclosing company information.

Original aticle here: BBC