Rockstar Games, the studio behind the mega-hit Grand Theft Auto series, has been accused of a “calculated attack on workers” after laying off more than thirty members of staff in its UK offices.

According to a blog post by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), game developers who were union members and part of a private trade union Discord channel were dismissed in what the trade body describes as “unlawful and retaliatory” action.

“All of those dismissed at Rockstar UK were members of the IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel, and appear to have been targeted for this reason,” said the union.

Calling the move a “brazen act of illegal union busting”, the IWGB said it will look to mount a “full and robust defence” of its members, who it alleges were targeted without valid reason, seeking to have the dismissals overturned.

According to reports from the Daily Record, the layoff affected some staff at the company’s base in Edinburgh, with IWGB organisers alleging that the cuts included those on Rockstar-sponsored visas and employees with medical conditions who now face losing vital workplace healthcare.

“Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB president.

“Despite this calculated attack on workers organising for a collective voice and to improve their difficult working conditions, the Rockstar Union remains undeterred. They will keep organising for respect and better conditions whilst continuing to pour their blood, sweat and creativity into games that are loved by millions.

“The IWGB will pursue every legal claim possible to ensure our members are reinstated and receive interim relief.”

For its part, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, vehemently denies the allegations of union-busting, saying instead that the employees were dismissed for “gross misconduct”, though it has not so far confirmed the number of employees let go, or provided a specific reason for their sacking. 

“We strive to make the world’s best entertainment properties by giving our best-in-class creative teams positive work environments and ongoing career opportunities,” said Alan Lewis, Take-Two’s head of global corporate communications.

“Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness. Rockstar Games terminated a small number of individuals for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.”

The sudden mass firing comes only months ahead of the release of GTA 6, predicted to be the biggest game launch in history, and forecast to generate over a $1 billion (£761.5m) in pre-orders alone.

The much-anticipated game has already faced a delay, with its release pushed from this year to spring 2026, a move that triggered a nearly 7% drop in Take-Two’s stock, but one Rockstar deemed essential to ensure quality and avoid the last-minute crunch seen in past releases like Red Dead Redemption 2.