Rockstar North, the game’s developer, is one of the U.K.’s largest video game studios. Last week, they fired 31 workers over claims of “gross misconduct.” Though the dismissals took place on October 30, this sparked much controversy. Now the affected workers are preparing to take the company to an employment tribunal. This case could see delays of a year or more before it is even allowed to be heard in court.
The rejected staff members focused primarily at Rockstar North’s Edinburgh headquarters. They allege that their terminations were a result of their advocacy for better working conditions through conversation occurring in a private online setting. Jordan Garland, who has worked at the company for the past 18 years, thinks he might have been the first non-technical employee cut that day. He emphasized that the talks were not between particular projects or privileged information. Instead, they focused only on workplace policies.
Rockstar North’s studio leadership moved quickly to combat the dismissals. It was not just union supporters, but union organizers who were clearly targeted for violating or breaking company policy, sharing confidential information and discussing confidential information. The company adamantly denied that the terminations were related to union membership or activities.
“Claims that these dismissals were linked to union membership or activities are entirely false and misleading.” – Rockstar North
The anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, or GTA 6, has set the internet ablaze. Fans are looking forward to it being one of the best-selling games of all time when it releases in November 2026. This unhealthy context has led to unprecedented external scrutiny on the company’s treatment of its employees during a dark period in the development of the game.
The controversy around the firings spread well outside the gaming space. During a recent PMQs in Westminster, MP’s Chris Murray warned that the situation is dire. Labour Party opposition Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, called the dismissals “deeply concerning” and promised to look into them further.
Jamie Trimmer, who worked for the district for nearly two decades and was released, said he was still in shock watching the layoffs. He said he never expected that kind of extreme measures would be taken against employees who were speaking out about conditions in the workplace.
“I never would have expected they would hit the nuclear option of firing so many of us in one go. It does highlight the need for unions.” – Jamie Trimmer
Trimmer’s concerns echo those of scores of other recently terminated staff. They are worried about their rights and what happens if they complain about unsafe workplace conditions. Garland touched on these sentiments, too, stressing the need to have tough conversations about what workplaces look like.
“That to me feels like an essential, necessary part of organizing. How can you organize a workplace if you can’t talk about the conditions there?” – Jordan Garland
The dismissed employees are now left grappling with uncertainty regarding their future and their careers in an industry they deeply love. Trimmer detailed his fight in an authentic, compelling manner. Now, displaced from a city he’s called home for almost 20 years, he doesn’t know what the future holds.
“It’s all I know really, and then it’s just sort of ripped away. I’m left not knowing what to do next really.” – Jamie Trimmer
The dismissals have prompted discussions about the need for unions and better protections for workers in creative industries like gaming. Advocates like Sarah Blackburn, a policy associate with the Economic Policy Institute focusing on workers’ rights, urged action for those impacted by the recent layoffs.
“It’s massively heartening to hear actually and in a way, I’d say validating.” – Sarah Blackburn