UK government investigates Rockstar GTA 6 developer firings amid union concerns

The UK government has launched an investigation into Rockstar Games following the controversial firing of more than 30 developers working on GTA 6.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the mass layoffs as “deeply concerning,” amid claims from former employees that the dismissals were part of a union-busting effort.

The cuts, which affected staff in Edinburgh, Dundee, Lincoln, and Toronto, reportedly included senior artists, animators, QA testers, programmers, designers, and producers. Rockstar has denied the union-busting allegations, asserting that the terminations were due to “gross misconduct” linked to leaked confidential information shared in a private Discord chat.

The situation escalated after protests outside Rockstar offices, prompting Scottish Labour MP Chris Murray to question the Prime Minister during Parliament’s Prime Minister’s Questions on December 10. Murray highlighted that the firings occurred without evidence or union representation, citing allegations by the IWGB union. Starmer affirmed that all workers have the right to join a trade union and said ministers would review the specific case and provide updates.

The controversy comes as GTA 6 continues to generate global attention. The game’s release was recently delayed from May to November 2026, a move that reportedly adds over $60 million in development costs. Analysts warn that the layoffs and ongoing unrest may push the game’s release back further and negatively impact employee morale.

Despite the setbacks, Rockstar maintains that GTA 6 is content complete, with the delay aimed at ensuring a polished, bug-free launch. The title remains one of the most anticipated video games ever, expected to generate tens of billions in revenue over its lifetime.

The investigation highlights growing scrutiny over labor practices in the video game industry as high-profile projects like GTA 6 continue to dominate headlines.