According to Wccftech, Rockstar Games has released a new statement reaffirming its claim that the 34 employees it fired across the UK and internationally were dismissed for “gross misconduct,” specifically for distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum. The new statement, sent on December 10, 2025, specifies the info included “specific game features from upcoming and unannounced titles,” a clear nod to the heavily anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. This comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed in parliament that the government would investigate the union-busting accusations leveled by the fired workers and the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union. MP Chris Murray, who raised the issue, stated Rockstar “failed to reassure me they are following employment law” after he spoke with them. The IWGB has filed legal claims against Rockstar and disputes the leak narrative, pointing to internal discussions about Slack policies in a private union Discord as the alleged “confidential” breach.
The He-Said-They-Said Gets Messy
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a corporate HR statement versus some disgruntled ex-employees anymore. The union’s counter-claim is incredibly specific. They’re saying Rockstar is trying to classify employees talking about company Slack policies in a private, union-members-only Discord server as “distributing confidential information.” That’s a wild interpretation of confidentiality if true. Basically, it frames any internal discussion about work conditions, even in a private labor organizing space, as a fireable offense. And that’s a terrifying precedent for any worker, anywhere. So who do you believe? A multi-billion dollar company protecting its crown jewel, GTA VI, or a union alleging a classic union-busting tactic dressed up as a security concern? The fact it’s reached the UK Prime Minister suggests this is more than just a simple leak investigation.
Why This Strikes at the Heart of Tech Culture
Look, game development, especially at this level, is shrouded in secrecy. Leaks are a genuine problem. But this situation touches a raw nerve in the broader tech and gaming industry culture. It pits a company’s legitimate need to protect intellectual property against workers’ rights to organize and discuss their workplace. The fear, of course, is that “confidential information” becomes a conveniently broad cudgel. Can discussing crunch, or pay, or tooling be deemed “confidential”? In a hyper-competitive industry known for tough conditions, the ability to organize is often the only leverage employees have. If discussing company policies amongst yourselves is a fireable offense, what’s left? This case could set a tone for years to come.
The Stakes for Rockstar and Beyond
The immediate stakes for Rockstar are massive. GTA VI is perhaps the single most valuable piece of IP in entertainment right now. Any leak is a big deal. But the longer-term reputational damage from a confirmed union-busting scandal, especially with a government investigation looming, could be severe. It fuels the narrative of an out-of-touch, aggressive corporate culture at a time when labor movements in tech are gaining momentum. For the industry, it’s a watch-and-learn moment. The outcome will signal how far companies can go in policing internal communications under the guise of protecting secrets. And for the workers? It’s a brutal fight for legitimacy. They’re not just fighting for reinstatement; they’re fighting to define what constitutes protected organizing activity versus a genuine security breach. This one’s going to get uglier before it gets clearer.
