The latest controversy around GTA 6’s developers has grown so big that it has landed on the desks of the British government. After Rockstar reportedly dismissed more than 30 workers, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has confirmed that authorities will look into the studio to determine whether labor laws have been broken.

The wave of layoffs at Rockstar Games has snowballed over the past few weeks and has now spilled over into British politics. Previously, the Scottish Parliament had already taken an interest in the matter, while Edinburgh’s City Council publicly called for the reinstatement of more than 30 dismissed employees. At the heart of the dispute is a serious accusation: that Rockstar removed developers working on GTA VI to crush an attempt to unionize. The company rejects that version and insists the dismissals were tied to alleged misconduct and the sharing of confidential information in public channels.

Now the controversy has reached UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer, who has made it clear that the government will examine whether the company behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise has respected the country’s employment regulations. The decision emerged during the latest session of the UK Parliament, where MPs pressed the Prime Minister to state his position and outline what steps would be taken in response to the Rockstar case.

The matter was raised by Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, who highlighted that Rockstar has so far failed to provide concrete proof of the supposed misconduct or leaks it cites as justification. According to Murray, the studio has been unable to convincingly demonstrate that it is fully compliant with UK employment law, and there is legitimate concern that a major corporation may be using disciplinary measures as a weapon against workers trying to organize.

Starmer’s intervention was brief but pointed. He described the situation as “a deeply concerning case” and stressed that “all workers have the right to join a trade union, and we are determined to strengthen workers’ rights and ensure they do not face unfair consequences for union membership”. He concluded by adding that “ministers will look into this particular case and we will keep you informed”, effectively confirming that the Rockstar controversy is now on the government’s official agenda.

Meanwhile, pressure on the studio continues to mount from both developers and politicians. Rockstar staff have taken to the streets in Edinburgh, Paris, London, and New York, staging protests that call for the reinstatement of their former colleagues. A letter signed by more than 200 employees and endorsed by several official organizations also demands that the company put an end to what many see as an anti-union crackdown and reinstate the workers who were let go.

The laid-off developers themselves have spoken up as well, reminding the public that blockbusters like GTA VI are built on the backs of real people. As one former employee put it during a demonstration: “Grand Theft Auto VI will generate billions, there’s no doubt about that. Investors will get rich, fortunes will be made, but I want people to think about the human cost. Burned-out people, cut-short careers, shattered lives”. With the British Prime Minister now involved, the fallout from these decisions could become even more serious for Rockstar’s leadership.

Source: 3djuegos