Fired Rockstar workers are urging fans not to boycott GTA 6 but to buy union-branded T-shirts to fund their legal battle against the studio, which claims the dismissals were over leaks, while the union accuses Rockstar of union-busting. The final hearing in their dispute is set for September, with the game scheduled for release in November 2026.
The legal showdown between Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has intensified as 34 former employees, fired last year, ask fans to bypass a boycott of Eurogamer 6 and instead support their fight through merchandise. The workers, who were dismissed for allegedly leaking confidential information about the game, argue that the studio’s actions amount to union-busting, while Rockstar maintains the firings were for violating confidentiality policies.
A Legal Battle Over Leaks and Union Rights
Rockstar fired 34 employees last year, including 31 in the UK and three in Canada, accusing them of leaking details about GTA 6 via a union-run Discord server. The company cited gross misconduct
and claimed the leaks could have impacted its stock price.
The IWGB, however, frames the dismissals as a targeted effort to suppress union activity. Jack Hoxby, a fired Rockstar developer and IWGB member, said, We poured years of our lives into helping build this game. We don’t want you to boycott it. We want you to help us fight for justice.
The union’s legal battle could set a precedent for worker rights in the gaming industry, with the final hearing scheduled for September in Glasgow.
Rockstar has cited prior cases of alleged leaks, including a 2025 dismissal in Lincoln, UK, and a 2023 incident in the U.S., to justify its zero-tolerance policy. However, the IWGB claims the firings disproportionately targeted union members, with 31 of the 34 employees involved in the union. The group also highlighted that the legal battle has spurred growth in union membership, with “unprecedented” pay raises and benefits for remaining staff.
T-Shirts as a Tool for Solidarity and Funding
To finance their legal costs, the fired workers launched a T-shirt campaign through the IWGB, with proceeds going to their “Fighting Fund.” The £25 Rockstar 34 Solidarity
T-shirts are available for pre-order, with shipping expected by mid-September. Hoxby emphasized, Buy one of our T-shirts. You’ll be helping to win justice for us and to defend the right of workers everywhere to come together and unionise.
The campaign has drawn global support, with fans and workers rallying behind the cause. Eurogamer reported that the union’s video urging fans to fight for justice for the people who made it
has circulated widely, accompanied by a YouTube link. The IWGB also noted that the legal battle has heightened awareness of labor rights in the gaming sector, where unionization remains rare.
Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, saw its stock drop $3.75 billion in a single day after announcing the GTA 6 delay to November 19, 2026. Despite this, Strauss Zelnick dismissed concerns about the legal battle affecting sales, calling the game’s pre-orders “unprecedented.”
What Comes Next for the Workers and the Industry
The outcome of the legal case could reshape labor dynamics in the gaming industry. If recognized, the IWGB would be the second UK studio with a formal union, following ZA/UM, the developer of Disco Elysium. The union has also sought voluntary recognition from Rockstar, though the company has not yet commented on this request.
For now, the fired workers remain focused on their legal strategy. Hoxby stated, We want people to experience the universe we helped build,
while stressing that the boycott is not the solution. The final hearing in September will determine whether the firings were lawful, with implications for future labor disputes in the sector.
The GTA 6 release date remains set for November 19, 2026, but the broader conversation about worker rights and corporate accountability shows no signs of slowing. As the legal battle unfolds, the gaming community watches closely, with many hoping the case will pave the way for greater transparency and fairness in the industry.
