GTA 6, Rockstar Games, and Employee Rights: What Founders Need to Know

If you’ve been following the gaming world lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines: Rockstar Games, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto (GTA 6), has been in hot water over the firing of over 30 GTA 6 developers. And no, it’s not about leaks of the game (well… not exactly). It’s about something a little closer to home: employee rights, unionisation, and working conditions.

What actually happened?

Rockstar and its parent, Take‑Two Interactive, say the staff were let go for “discussing confidential information in a public forum.” Sounds serious, right? But here’s the twist: the discussions happened on a private Discord chat where employees were talking about pay, working conditions, and unionisation efforts. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), these conversations were legally protected under UK labour law, meaning firing people for participating in them could be considered unfair dismissal.

The union has called this one of the most blatant examples of union-busting in the UK gaming industry. There have been protests outside Rockstar’s studios, legal claims filed, and a lot of public attention - all while anticipation for GTA 6 continues to build.

Why it’s happening

Big blockbuster games are high-stakes projects, and GTA 6 is expected to be one of the biggest game releases ever. Studios are under pressure to keep secrets and deliver a polished product. But employees are pushing back against long hours, crunch culture, and lack of representation.

From Rockstar’s perspective, it’s about protecting intellectual property (IP) and game secrets. From the union’s perspective, it’s about employees having a safe space to talk about their employee rights without fear of retaliation. And that’s why this story is such a big deal — legally, culturally, and in terms of business risk.

Why it matters to founders and execs

Even if you’re not in the gaming industry, this story has clear takeaways for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams:

• Employee rights are serious business – discussions about working conditions and unionisation, even in private Discord chats, can be legally protected under UK employment law.
• Reputation matters – public disputes like this can attract negative attention fast, and even well-known brands can face scrutiny for how they treat their employees.
• Policy vs practice – having NDAs, confidentiality rules, and internal policies isn’t a free pass to sideline employee or union rights. Balancing these properly is key.

The Rockstar story is a reminder that employment law, union activity, and workplace disputes aren’t just HR issues — they’re legal issues, business issues, and yes, sometimes PR issues too.

At Founders Law, we keep a close eye on stories like this because they often foreshadow the challenges our clients might face: scaling teams, protecting confidential information, keeping employees happy, and ensuring legal foundations are solid while your business grows.

So, whether you’re launching the next big app, running a tech startup, or building a creative empire, this is a story worth paying attention to. It’s GTA 6, but it’s also very real-world UK labour law in action.

How Can We Help

Stories like the Rockstar/GTA 6 union dispute are a reminder that employment matters aren’t just HR issues. They’re legal, strategic, and sometimes reputational issues too. That’s where Founders Law comes in.

Whether you’re a startup founder, a tech entrepreneur, or running a creative business, we help you:

• Draft and review employment contracts, NDAs, and internal policies to make sure they protect your business while respecting employee rights.
• Navigate workplace disputes or grievances, including concerns around unionisation, working conditions, or alleged unfair dismissal.
• Mitigate legal risk when scaling teams, ensuring your HR practices are compliant with UK employment law and fit for growth.
• Balance confidentiality and IP protection with employee communication rights, so you can protect your business without stepping into legal hot water.

At Founders Law, we guide founders and leaders through the tricky areas of employment law, internal governance, and risk management, helping you grow your business confidently while keeping your team happy and protected.

Because at the end of the day, a strong legal foundation for your employees is a strong foundation for your business.

Want bespoke support? Get in touch.

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