In a powerful public display, former developers from Rockstar Games have broken their silence for the first time since their controversial dismissal. They gathered for a protest outside the Rockstar North headquarters in Edinburgh, later marching to the Scottish Parliament to voice their grievances.
Their core message was stark: the termination of more than 30 workers was not merely about job loss. They framed it as a symptom of deeper, systemic issues plaguing one of the world's most celebrated video game studios. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has strongly alleged that the firings at the end of October were a deliberate attempt to crush growing unionization efforts within the company.
Beyond the Firings: A Studio Under Strain
Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two, have firmly denied accusations of union-busting. They maintain that the dismissals across offices in Edinburgh, Dundee, Lincoln, and Toronto were a direct result of gross misconduct, specifically linked to leaks in a private Discord chat.
However, the atmosphere at the protest painted a different picture. Former employees described a studio under immense pressure and an industry where workers increasingly feel undervalued and disposable. Holding creatively designed signs like "Grand Theft Wages" and "Unions ain't busted" in classic GTA font, they shared the profound personal and professional impact of being let go.
One developer addressed the crowd, urging the public to look past Rockstar's global success. They characterized the studio as a massive international corporation, a machine generating billions for its overseas shareholders. This reality, they argued, exists within an industry rife with work exploitation, unfair practices, and unreasonable working conditions.
Protesters also highlighted Rockstar's significant benefit from hundreds of millions in UK tax breaks, designed to promote British values. They sharply contrasted this financial support from the public with the difficult experiences of the workers on the ground.
The Human Cost of Blockbuster Games
While the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 is guaranteed to be a multi-billion dollar success, the former developers insisted the conversation must include the human cost of its creation. They argued that chronic burnout, job instability, and the abrupt loss of livelihood should be recognized as the real price paid for such blockbuster titles.
A poignant account came from a former QA worker named Jack, who had been with Rockstar for nearly four years. He spoke of feeling undervalued and his fear of joining the union, believing that QA staff were seen as more dispensable than others. He lived with the worry that union membership would put a target on his back, emphasizing that no employee should fear organizing for their rights.
Jack detailed the severe, life-altering consequences of the mass dismissal. Among the 34 people affected, some relied on their jobs for critical stability—supporting families, accessing healthcare, or maintaining their immigration status in the UK. In a particularly distressing revelation, he shared that one colleague was fired while on paternity leave, just nine days after the birth of her second child.
These stories, Jack stressed, illustrate the deeply personal fallout of corporate decisions—consequences that are impossible to quantify on a spreadsheet. The protest gained political traction, with a member of the Scottish Parliament and a Scottish Government worker speaking in support of the fired developers. The IWGB also confirmed that over 200 current Rockstar employees have signed a letter demanding the reinstatement of their former colleagues.
