Rockstar Firings: Slack Policy, Not GTA 6 Leaks Spark Dismissals
The gaming world is reeling from a significant development concerning the recent dismissal of over 30 Rockstar Games employees in the UK and Canada. While initial reports from Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive cited "gross misconduct," a new investigation by People Make Games reveals a drastically different picture: the terminations allegedly stemmed from internal company messages concerning changes to Slack policy, not leaks of highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. This shocking revelation casts a new light on a saga that has already ignited controversy, now escalating into accusations of union busting and potential legal action.
Beyond GTA 6 Secrets: The True Allegations Emerge
For weeks, speculation ran wild following the abrupt termination of more than 30 Rockstar Games staff across its UK and Canadian offices near the end of October. The official line from Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive pinned the blame on "gross misconduct," leading many to assume a connection to the intense security surrounding projects like the next Grand Theft Auto installment.
However, a new report from investigative journalism outlet People Make Games completely debunks this notion. Their findings indicate the dismissals had nothing to do with Grand Theft Auto 6 secrets or any other project leaks. Instead, the core issue revolved around internal discussions shared on a Discord server—a platform utilized by staff members alongside representatives from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). These messages reportedly centered on upcoming changes to Rockstar's Slack policy, specifically the elimination of channels dedicated to non-work-related discussions.
The Spark: Internal Security & Unauthorized Sharing
Rockstar Games is notoriously known for its stringent internal security protocols, so tight that employees are reportedly unable to access company email unless physically present in the office. It was against this backdrop that one employee allegedly posted details of the impending Slack policy changes to the Discord server. Crucially, this occurred at a time when most other developers had yet to receive any official communication regarding these updates.
Sources cited by People Make Games suggest that this shared message was subsequently brought to the attention of Rockstar management by someone on the Discord server. This alleged tip-off is believed to have ignited the internal investigation that ultimately led to the mass dismissals, dramatically shifting the narrative from intellectual property breaches to a potential internal communication breakdown.
Union Busting Accusations & Legal Battle Ahead
The involvement of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) adds another critical layer to this unfolding drama. Following the firings, the IWGB swiftly accused Rockstar Games of "union busting" and has since filed a formal legal claim on behalf of the terminated staff members. The union's action underscores a serious escalation, pushing the dispute beyond internal company policy into the realm of workers' rights and labor law.
The incident has also galvanized a significant portion of Rockstar's current workforce. Over 200 Rockstar employees have reportedly signed an open letter, vocally demanding the reinstatement of their fired colleagues. As of now, a resolution appears distant, with the potential for this high-profile case to proceed to court in the United Kingdom, where the fate of Rockstar's ex-developers will ultimately be decided. This ongoing legal and labor dispute promises to be a closely watched development within the gaming industry throughout late 2025 and beyond.