Rockstar Games Fires More GTA 6 Developers Amid Leak Controversy
Rockstar Games has confirmed that three additional Grand Theft Auto 6 developers have been dismissed following internal investigations into game-related leaks. The revelation comes as part of an ongoing legal dispute involving the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, which has challenged the studio over previous mass terminations.
According to information presented in court, one developer from Rockstar’s Lincoln studio was let go in April 2025 after allegedly sharing confidential GTA 6 material with an external party. That information later surfaced publicly on social media platforms. Rockstar stated that this breach directly violated its internal policies.
In addition to the UK-based employee, two other developers were also dismissed in separate incidents. One employee working at Rockstar India was terminated in November 2025, while another developer based in the United States was also removed from their role. Rockstar clarified that the three incidents were unrelated and investigated independently.
Background on the GTA 6 Developer Firings
The latest dismissals follow a much larger wave of job losses that took place in November, when Rockstar confirmed that over 30 Grand Theft Auto 6 developers had been fired. At the time, the company cited gross misconduct as the sole reason behind the decision.
However, affected workers disputed that explanation, claiming the dismissals were linked to efforts to unionize. These allegations led to public protests and widespread criticism from labor rights groups, with calls for the developers to be reinstated and compensated for lost wages.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain subsequently filed a legal complaint against Rockstar Games, pushing the dispute into the UK employment tribunal system.
Court Ruling and Rockstar’s Response
On January 12, UK Employment Judge Frances Eccles rejected the union’s application for interim relief. This decision meant that the dismissed developers would not be temporarily reinstated while the case proceeds, a particularly significant outcome for workers employed under visa arrangements.
The IWGB acknowledged that securing interim relief for such a large group would have been highly unusual under UK employment law. Despite this, the union continues to pursue the broader case.
Responding to the ruling, Rockstar Games reiterated its stance, stating that the dismissals were not connected to union activity.
“This was never about union-related issues. Rockstar has always enforced a strict zero-tolerance policy toward leaks,” a company spokesperson said.
Rockstar later added that the tribunal’s decision aligned with its position throughout the case, reinforcing its commitment to protecting sensitive development material as anticipation for GTA 6 continues to build.
What This Means Going Forward
With GTA 6 expected to be one of the biggest game launches in history, Rockstar’s handling of internal security and employee relations remains under close scrutiny. While the legal case is ongoing, the studio appears firm in its approach toward leaks, even as debate around workplace rights and unionization continues within the gaming industry.