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Producers a Grand Theft Auto they are trying to get government approval after last year’s mass layoffs.
Video game developers and other employees at Rockstar Games are working with the IWGB Game Workers Union to try to secure a union before GTA VI’s release. scheduled for November.
It is expected to be one of the best-selling games of all time and after pre-orders opened last week it is said to have made $3bn (£2.27bn).
The move for the partnership would make Rockstar the second UK games studio to have a known partnership. ZA/UM became the first to accept admission in October 2025.
When those goals are achieved, workers will gain access to management, while union representatives and members will gain more protection and rights at work.
Rockstar was accused of “disruption of contract” last year after the dismissal of 31 members in October. The IWGB is challenging the dismissal through the labor court, and a final hearing is due to begin in September, where it will be decided whether the workers were unfairly dismissed for union activity.
The company said at the time that employees were fired for sharing confidential information, including information about upcoming topics, in a public meeting.
Jordan Garland, one of the employees who was allowed to go, worked at the company for 11 years. He said: “We hope that Rockstar will voluntarily accept this contract; we invite Rockstar to meet with us and celebrate the people who make this game possible.”
He said the union’s move is to “make sure that this (removal) never happens again, not just at Rockstar but anywhere in the industry.”
The video game industry was “very difficult” he added, saying it was due to “greed”.
“There have been a lot of big deals for small studios and big companies, what they call ‘decorative stuff’,” he said. “That’s the state of the industry and it seems to be getting worse because fewer studios are independent.”
The millions of people who play and enjoy video games often don’t think about the workers who make them, he added. “Parts depend on how the game is marketed and sold to consumers, the people who make it are not part of the conversation or marketing.”
It is understood that if the voluntary process is not followed, more preparations will be made to realize the agreement, and this may include a strike.
Shanti Easton-Steel, production coordinator at Rockstar North, the developer’s office in Edinburgh, said: “It is thanks to the efforts of many of our members – both those who are with us and those who were fired last October – that we are now strong enough to pursue approval.
“While it’s sad that our laid-off friends weren’t here to share this important moment, the best way we can honor what they’ve done here is to win the battle they helped start, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
Rockstar has been contacted for comment. Regarding the layoffs, the company previously said: “Rockstar Sports took action against a small group of people, both in the UK and around the world, who shared and discussed confidential information (including certain games from upcoming and unannounced titles) in the public domain, breaching company policy and legal requirements. Claims that these dismissals were related to union membership or class action are false and misleading. “
Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB, said: “Many people thought that Rockstar firing 31 union members last year would weaken the organization of the company – but in fact the union is now stronger than ever.” GTA VI is said to have already made over $3bn in pre-sales.
