Protests Erupt Outside Rockstar Offices in London and Edinburgh Amid Layoff Controversy

Demonstrations were held outside the London and Edinburgh offices of Rockstar North and Take-Two Interactive, organised by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), following allegations of union busting. Speaking on the picket line, IWGB organiser Fred Carter stated that affected employees were shocked by Rockstar's alleged disregard for workers' rights to form a union. According to Carter, the employees were terminated for exercising their legal right to discuss pay and conditions, and to establish a union in their workplace. The goal, Carter explained, was to create a fairer work environment where game developers have a voice in the production process. Carter described the atmosphere among workers as one of 'shock and anger'. A dismissed employee claimed to have been let go without warning, evidence, or an opportunity to defend themselves. The employee asserted that they were not leaking information or attempting to harm the company, but rather supporting colleagues and seeking to improve their work environment. The IWGB alleged that approximately 30 employees in the UK and Canada were dismissed by Rockstar last Thursday, targeting union members or those attempting to organise. Rockstar responded by stating that action was taken against individuals who shared confidential information in a public forum, reportedly the IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel. The IWGB disputed this claim, stating that only union organisers were present in the group and that no confidential information was shared publicly. The protests coincided with the release of Take-Two Interactive's latest financial results, which reported significant revenue and net bookings increases. Additionally, the company announced a second delay for Grand Theft Auto 6, now scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the new launch date, citing the company's commitment to delivering an exceptional gaming experience.