Rockstar faces firing case

A Scottish employment tribunal began hearing a case Thursday brought by 23 former Rockstar Games employees who claim they were dismissed over union activity.

Rockstar, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, denies the allegation. It says the workers were fired for sharing confidential company information.

The case involves some of the 31 employees dismissed across Britain in October 2025. Three other workers were fired in Canada.

Rockstar accused them of disclosing sensitive details through the Discord messaging platform. The US-owned company is known for keeping its projects under tight secrecy.

The hearing in Glasgow is expected to run for more than a month. It comes ahead of the scheduled November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the gaming industry’s most closely watched launches.

The GTA series has sold more than 470 million copies worldwide since the first game arrived in 1997.

Lloyd Knott, a former visual effects worker on GTA VI, described a “culture of fear” within the industry.

The 42-year-old belongs to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, which is seeking reinstatement or compensation for the dismissed employees.

The union alleges that Rockstar targeted the Scotland-based workers because of their membership or union activity. It also argues that the dismissals were carried out without disciplinary proceedings or a chance to appeal.

“You kind of feel like, by being a union member, you put a target on your back,” Knott said.

Former lighting artist Branimira Yordanova said losing her job raised fears that she could also lose her home.

The 31-year-old later secured a short-term contract, but that employment has since ended.

Rockstar, a subsidiary of US video game publisher Take-Two Interactive, developed GTA VI in Edinburgh.

About 40 demonstrators gathered outside the Glasgow courthouse Thursday carrying banners accusing the company of “union busting.”

Rockstar said its position had been clear throughout the dispute.

It maintained that the employees in Britain and Canada were dismissed for gross misconduct linked to the disclosure of confidential material, not because of union membership or activity.

“We reject the claims and will defend them vigorously before the tribunal,” the company said.

GTA VI has been developed under strict secrecy. However, leaked footage from an unidentified source later prompted Rockstar to issue an extended preview in late August.