Former Rockstar Developers Protest Firings and Working Conditions For GTA 6
Former Rockstar Games developers spoke publicly in Edinburgh during a protest outside Rockstar North, accusing the company of unfair dismissals and harmful working conditions leading up to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
The demonstration began outside Rockstar North’s headquarters before moving toward the Scottish Parliament. Dexerto attended the event and heard several workers address the crowd for the first time since being dismissed.
Many are coming out ahead of GTA 6 release
More than 30 employees across Edinburgh, Dundee, Lincoln, and Toronto were let go at the end of October. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain claimed the firings were an attempt to disrupt union efforts.
Rockstar and parent company Take Two denied the accusation, stating the dismissals were the result of gross misconduct and alleging the employees had leaked confidential information through a Discord chat.
During a second protest in Edinburgh, former staff members said the situation reflected deeper problems within the studio as pressure surrounding GTA 6 continued to grow. Protesters carried signs that read “Grand Theft Wages” and “Unions ain’t busted” in designs styled after the GTA series.
A former developer told the crowd that the public should recognize the human cost behind the company’s success.
They described Rockstar as a large international corporation that generates billions in value for overseas shareholders in an industry known for worker exploitation, unfair practices, and unreasonable conditions. They also pointed out that the company benefits from significant tax incentives intended to support British values.
They warned that GTA 6 will bring in enormous revenue and create wealth for shareholders, while the toll on workers is often overlooked. Many careers have been disrupted, and lives have been thrown into uncertainty.
Another former employee, identifying himself as Jack, said he worked in Rockstar’s QA department for nearly four years before being dismissed.
He explained that he joined the union after years of feeling undervalued. He recalled feeling nervous about organizing, especially as QA workers often felt more disposable than other departments.
