Rockstar Games workers launch union amid lawsuits over layoffs

In a major development, Rockstar Games developers have publicly formed a union called the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU). The union falls under the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The launch of the RGWU comes at a crucial moment, as the IWGB prepares to sue Rockstar Games over the dismissal of staff who left the company last October, an action many see as an attempt to undermine union organizing.

The situation around the layoffs

In October last year, Rockstar Games laid off 31 employees, sparking protests and legal action. Rockstar has said the workers were dismissed for “gross misconduct.” The IWGB, however, noted that the laid-off employees were union members and described Rockstar’s actions as a blatant attempt to crush union activity.

The RGWU said on social media that it is determined to seek justice for the dismissed workers. In its statement, it called the treatment of these talented people “disgusting” and insisted that studios like Rockstar cannot be allowed to get away with actions like this.

The union’s demands

Alongside demanding justice for the laid-off workers, the RGWU has also raised other key issues. It is pushing for greater pay transparency, flexible working hours, and an end to the notorious “crunch” period, when employees work long hours ahead of a game’s launch. More and more Rockstar employees in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Leeds, Lincoln, and Dundee are joining the movement.

Management and political reactions

Following the layoffs, more than 200 Rockstar North employees signed a letter to management condemning the company’s actions. The issue has even drawn attention in the UK Parliament. In December 2024, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the controversial layoffs “deeply troubling.” The growing pressure on Rockstar Games highlights wider concerns about how workers are treated across the games industry.

It is clear that the situation at Rockstar Games is drawing attention not only from employees themselves, but also from the wider public. It also has implications for the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, which is expected soon for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, with a suggested price that is expected to be around $100. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has previously said the company is trying to charge a fair price for the value it delivers to customers.

The developments around the union and the lawsuits underline the growing divide between game developers and major studios. As Rockstar prepares to launch its latest title, the actions of the RGWU and management’s response will undoubtedly continue to shape the company culture at Rockstar Games.