The legal drama surrounding the dismissal of nearly 31 Rockstar Games developers continues in the United Kingdom, but without financial relief for affected workers. At the end of the week, a British judge rejected their request toprovisional compensationleaving these former employees without income while the legal process unfolds.
This dispute has its roots in a wave of massive layoffs carried out by Rockstar in October 2025, which surprised the industry. At the time, the publisher claimed that the job cuts were linked to leaks of confidential information about future projects, including Grand Theft Auto VI. But behind this official explanation are accusations of union repression, fueled by the union. IWGB (Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain).
Judge denies provisional salary to former employees
In a move aimed at gaining some security while the trial lasts, the 31 former developers had asked to be reinstated with pay while the court considers their case. This request forprovisional compensation would have allowed employees to continue to receive income while their unfair dismissal challenge is ongoing.
However, British judge Frances Eccles ruled that the employees had failed to demonstrate that they had “a reasonable chance of success” on the merits of the dispute.
In his decision, he wrote that “it does not appear likely that the court would find that the main reason for the applicants’ dismissal was their membership in the IWGB.” This wording supports Rockstar’s explanation that the firings were not related to union activities.
Layoffs in a context of unionization
The 31 fired developers worked at Rockstar studios in the UK and had joined or supported unionization efforts through the IWGB. According to the union, their involvement was linked to the organization of collective representation to improve working conditions, which would have motivated reprisals from the company.
Rockstar, supported by its parent company Take-Two Interactivedenies these accusations. In a statement to Bloomberg and other media outlets, the company says the firings exclusively targeted employees who violated confidentiality agreements, including sharing sensitive information through a Discord server accessible to outsiders.
A broader debate on workers’ rights
This case highlights a broader debate in the video game industry between the rights of employees to organize collectively and the protection of companies from leaks of sensitive data. Unions say workers should be able to freely discuss their conditions without fear of reprisal, while publishers like Rockstar stress the need to protect confidential projects.
Legal and social perspectives
The British court’s decision could inspire other similar cases, particularly in a sector where discussions about working conditions and unionization are increasingly common.