The final hearing in the employment tribunal between Rockstar Games and 31 developers fired from its Scottish studio has commenced in Glasgow. The proceedings opened with rallies and speeches from the employees who were dismissed last October, as reported by Eurogamer.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Glasgow Tribunals Centre, holding IWGB union banners and placards bearing messages such as "what's disgusting; union busting" and "404: Rockstar's respect for workers not found." The union's stated aim is to support the case through a crowdfunder, clarifying that the objective is not to boycott Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rachel Crawford, a former Rockstar employee, delivered a speech emphasizing the role of fear in the modern workplace, particularly its impact on workers' willingness to speak out. "The modern workplace runs on fear: fear of speaking out, fear of being punished, fear of being fired, losing your livelihood and even your home," Crawford stated. She recounted her dismissal on October 30th, 2025, describing it as sudden, without clear explanation, and leaving her feeling humiliated and ashamed.
Crawford continued, "Fear wants to rule us. It closes our minds, our hearts, and our horizons. It makes us small, sad and hopeless. But today, we are fighting fear." She expressed hope that the hearing would serve as an opportunity to confront and overcome this fear, enabling employees to demand a better industry.
Rockstar Games is alleged to have unlawfully dismissed the 31 staff members, with the IWGB union claiming the firings were due to union membership. The company, however, asserts that the dismissals were for "gross misconduct" and the sharing of confidential information. The case has gained significant attention in the UK, prompting parliamentary debate and discussion by political figures.
A Rockstar Game Workers union has also emerged, raising further allegations against the company concerning issues like crunch, gender pay gaps, and the manipulation of bonus payments. The five-week tribunal is scheduled to conclude around the release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19th. The IWGB is seeking reinstatement or compensation for the affected employees, along with a ruling that their dismissals were unfair. A favorable outcome for the employees could represent a significant step towards official union recognition at Rockstar Games.