Tensions have flared outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh studio and Take-Two Interactive’s London headquarters after reports surfaced that 30 to 40 Rockstar employees were dismissed last week. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) organized protests accusing the company of “union busting,” claiming the firings targeted staff involved in unionization efforts.
Rockstar and Take-Two have strongly denied the accusations, telling Bloomberg that the terminations were linked to “leaking company secrets,” not union activity. A Rockstar spokesperson stated the dismissals were “in no way related to anyone’s right to join a union.”
During the London protest, an anonymous former employee said they were fired simply for talking in a private union chat. “We weren’t leaking anything or trying to harm the company,” the statement read. “We were supporting each other, trying to make our workplace better.”
While the truth may take time to surface, the scale of the dismissals has drawn attention. Removing several dozen employees at once is rare for Rockstar, especially so close to what many believed was the final stretch of Grand Theft Auto 6’s development. That belief, however, was shaken this week as Rockstar quietly confirmed the game’s release has been delayed to November 19, 2026.
Protests have broken out outside Rockstar Games Edinburgh studio and Take-Two's office in London
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) November 6, 2025
Protesters accuse the company of union busting after it fired 30-40 staff, but Rockstar says they were fired for leaking company secrets pic.twitter.com/2OebwOeEM7
The delay immediately reignited speculation that the project is facing deeper development struggles. Some insiders claim production has been turbulent, pointing to internal friction, creative disagreements, and the recent firings as signs of a rough period behind closed doors. Others argue the delay is simply Rockstar’s attempt to give the team more breathing room to meet the studio’s famously high standards. The same perfectionism that made GTA V one of the best-selling games of all time.
Some industry watchers believe Rockstar is tightening security and control ahead of a major marketing phase. After the massive GTA 6 leak in 2022, the company reportedly adopted strict internal protocols, and these layoffs could be a continuation of that “zero tolerance” stance. Still, with union activity rising across the industry, the optics are hard to ignore.
Whether the rumors of a troubled development hold weight or not, the combination of layoffs, controversy, and delay has cast a cloud of uncertainty over one of gaming’s most anticipated releases. Yet, history suggests that when Rockstar and Take-Two pull back, it’s rarely a sign of defeat but it’s a sign that they’re preparing to strike hard when the time is right.
For now, one thing remains certain: Rockstar wants absolute silence before GTA 6 roars back into the spotlight. And despite the noise outside, most fans are still betting that when it does, it’ll be worth the wait.
