Rockstar Faces Tribunal Over 31 Workers Dismissed During GTA 6 Development
Rockstar Games is facing an employment tribunal in Glasgow over the dismissal of 31 workers involved in GTA 6 development.
The final hearing is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2026, and is expected to continue until mid-October. The case comes just weeks before the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, currently scheduled for November 19, 2026.
The case is being supported by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents the dismissed workers.
Why Are 31 Rockstar Workers Taking the Company to Tribunal?
According to the IWGB, the 31 workers were dismissed in October 2025 after being involved in union activity.
The union alleges that Rockstar used lists identifying union members when deciding which employees should be dismissed. It describes this as blacklisting, which is prohibited under UK employment law.
The IWGB also claims the workers were dismissed without a disciplinary process or an opportunity to appeal.
Rockstar has previously said the dismissals were connected to messages posted in a private Discord channel used by union members, arguing that the messages breached confidentiality agreements.
The union disputes Rockstar’s explanation and says the dismissals were connected to the workers’ union activity.
Rockstar’s Legal Challenge Was Rejected
Rockstar previously attempted to have the blacklisting allegations removed from the case before the final hearing.
A judge rejected that application, meaning the allegations will remain part of the tribunal proceedings.
However, it is important to remember that the allegations have not yet been proven in court, and the tribunal has not made a finding that Rockstar acted unlawfully.
What Happened When the Workers Were Dismissed?
The IWGB says some employees were called into meetings at Rockstar’s offices, told that their employment ended immediately and then escorted from the building.
Workers who were not at the office were reportedly informed by phone and subsequently lost access to their work accounts.
One former employee, Will Mesilane, was also reportedly forced to return to Australia after his work visa was withdrawn.
The dispute led to protests outside Take-Two Interactive offices in London, Paris and New York, while the issue was also raised in the UK Parliament.
What Are the Workers Asking For?
The 31 claimants are seeking reinstatement or compensation, along with a finding that their dismissals were unfair.
IWGB President Alex Marshall has described the case as an important test for workers’ rights beyond the video game industry.
Former Rockstar employee and IWGB member Jason Lewis has also said the hearing will give the workers an opportunity to put their version of events on the record after months of speculation.
Will the Tribunal Affect GTA 6?
The tribunal is taking place during one of the biggest periods of Rockstar’s GTA 6 marketing campaign, but there is currently no indication that the case will affect the game’s release.
GTA 6 remains scheduled for November 19, 2026.
For fans following the game, the timing is nevertheless significant. The hearing could continue while Rockstar is promoting GTA 6 heavily ahead of launch.
Workers Ask Fans Not to Boycott GTA 6
Despite the dispute with Rockstar, the claimants have asked supporters not to boycott GTA 6.
Instead, the IWGB has encouraged supporters to contribute to its legal fund, which is helping cover the costs of the tribunal.
The union has also raised money through campaign merchandise and received support from gaming creators and several Scottish politicians.
What Happens Next?
The tribunal is expected to run from September 10 until mid-October 2026.
The case will examine the claims made by the dismissed workers and Rockstar’s response to those allegations. Until the tribunal reaches its conclusions, the claims against Rockstar should be treated as allegations rather than established facts.
With GTA 6 scheduled to launch only a few weeks after the hearing is expected to conclude, the case will remain an important story surrounding Rockstar during the final stages of the game’s long-awaited release.
For more coverage, follow our GTA 6 news and Grand Theft Auto VI updates on GTAVI Galaxy.