The gaming industry faces yet another wave of layoffs, this time involving Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games. Reports indicate that between 30 and 40 employees were terminated across Rockstar’s UK and Canadian offices on October 30, 2025. However, the reason for these firings has sparked serious debate between the company and union representatives.
Take-Two Claims “Gross Misconduct,” Union Calls It “Union Busting”
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games’ parent company, stated that the firings were the result of “gross misconduct,” adding that it fully supports Rockstar’s decision. However, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has challenged this explanation, suggesting that the terminations were directly linked to union activities.
According to IWGB president Alex Marshall, all of the affected employees were either active members of a union or involved in efforts to organize one. Marshall alleged that the dismissed staff were also part of a union-related Discord group, calling the incident a “flagrant contempt for the law” and a “blatant and ruthless act of union busting.”
Industry-Wide Pattern Raises Further Concerns
This incident is the latest in a growing list of high-profile layoffs across the gaming sector. Major companies such as Amazon and Microsoft have already announced substantial job cuts in 2025, with Amazon reportedly eliminating 14,000 positions and Microsoft shedding thousands over the course of the year.
Union-related disputes are also becoming increasingly common. Both Activision Blizzard and Nintendo have previously faced similar accusations, and BioWare’s handling of QA testers during Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s development drew comparable criticism when all union-affiliated testers were laid off — notably the first recognized game industry union in Canada.
A Growing Fear of AI and the Future of Game Development
While layoffs are often attributed to overhiring during the pandemic and evolving market pressures, developers have expressed growing concern about the rapid integration of AI tools in game creation. Many fear that artificial intelligence could begin replacing certain development roles entirely, potentially triggering even more job losses throughout 2026 and beyond.
Regardless of the true reason behind Rockstar’s recent firings, the situation highlights the fragile state of employment in the gaming industry — even at studios developing some of the most anticipated titles in the world.
