The troubles surrounding the creators of GTA 6 are only getting worse: instead of calming down, the latest accusations and layoffs have pushed Rockstar into the political spotlight. The Scottish Parliament has taken up the case, more than 200 employees have signed a petition demanding the reinstatement of their dismissed colleagues, and GTA 6 now finds itself in the middle of a storm that has nothing to do with trailers or hype – which, in the end, may only please the competition.

Few people would argue that Rockstar Games is not one of the most powerful and influential developers in the industry, yet the studio’s image keeps being tarnished by controversial corporate decisions and policies. Earlier this month, around 34 employees were dismissed from Rockstar North, and accusations of anti-union practices quickly followed. As a result, parent company Take-Two is no longer just dealing with fan backlash but is now facing real political pressure in the United Kingdom, while public opinion watches the situation unfold with growing concern.

Political Pressure Is Suffocating Rockstar

The most recent protests by dismissed Rockstar employees outside Take-Two’s offices have pushed the situation all the way to the Scottish Parliament. Ross Greer, a member of the Scottish Green Party, has formally demanded answers from company management about the layoffs carried out earlier this month, highlighting the fact that Rockstar remains one of the main beneficiaries of the UK’s Video Game Reduction and Transfer (VGTR) scheme. This tax relief program was designed to protect local talent and boost the hiring of UK developers, not to subsidize controversial staff cuts.

At the same time, fellow Scottish Green Party politician Dan Heap, who also serves on Edinburgh City Council, has submitted a motion calling for the council to debate the matter and look for ways to support the workers who lost their jobs. According to Scottish media, this discussion is expected to take place in the coming weeks, so the issue is unlikely to disappear from the agenda any time soon. As reported by Rockstar Intel, the case has also been referred to the Fair Work Committee, and Edinburgh City Council is expected to send a formal letter to Rockstar Games “expressing its concern” and requesting the reinstatement of those affected. A separate report notes that the motion also urges the council to provide financial assistance to the dismissed employees.

The political pressure does not stop there. Chris Law, an MP from the Scottish National Party, recently introduced a motion encouraging Rockstar staff to take a stronger stance in support of the developers who were forced to leave their jobs. Rockstar, for its part, has avoided providing details, stating only that the 34 people were dismissed for serious misconduct and for leaks on a “public forum” – reportedly a private Discord server where employees had been organizing to form a union and demand better working conditions. The situation is further complicated by reports that the timing of the layoffs closely followed the signing of a collective letter in which workers demanded more transparency around overtime and the compulsory return to the office.

For this reason, Ross Greer has called for the immediate reinstatement of the dismissed workers or, failing that, for Rockstar to repay the public funds it has received through the VGTR scheme. The most recent development is that the UK’s International Games Working Group (IWGB) has filed a lawsuit against Rockstar over alleged anti-union practices, demanding that the sacked employees be rehired. Developers who still work at the studio have also spoken out about the climate of fear and insecurity following the layoffs, even as the team prepares for the November 2026 release of its next major open-world game, GTA 6.

The tension is not limited to politics. Inside Rockstar itself, opposition to management’s decisions is growing more visible. As reported a few days ago, more than 200 Rockstar North developers have signed an open letter demanding the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues and condemning what they describe as a deliberate act of union repression. After protests in London, Edinburgh, and Paris, more and more people are joining the cause, and it is increasingly likely that this conflict will turn into a lengthy legal battle, with serious consequences for both Rockstar and the atmosphere surrounding GTA 6.

Source: 3djuegos