A Verified Rockstar Employee Just Blew the Whistle on the "Gross Misconduct" Lie
This isn't a press release or a "source close to the matter." This is a verified, firsthand account of what actually happened inside Rockstar last week, and it's ugly.
I've been following the Rockstar story closely, from the first “ruthless” union-busting accusations to the conveniently timed GTA VI delay. The official story from Take-Two was that 30-40 employees were fired for "gross misconduct".
Now, an anonymous employee, whose identity has been confirmed by the forum administrator "Spider-Vice", has posted a detailed, horrifying account of what really went down.
This isn't speculation. This is a whistleblower.
'A Quick Chat'
Remember that "gross misconduct" line? According to this insider, it's a complete fabrication.
Here's how the firings actually happened. Employees in the studio were messaged by HR for a "quick chat". When they arrived, they were handed a letter saying they were terminated for "gross misconduct" related to Discord posts.
When my colleagues asked for evidence, HR refused to provide any.
The meetings lasted less than five minutes. The employees were denied their right to Union representation, which is against UK employment law, and were then "frogmarched" out of the building.
For those not in the office? They got a two-minute phone call. The employee reports that one person had a panic attack on the call, and HR hung up on them.
These weren't new hires. These were senior artists, animators, designers, programmers, and leads. Some had been with Rockstar for over 18 years with zero disciplinary actions. They were fired without pay, just before Christmas.
Some were on sick leave. Some were recovering from surgery. One was on paternity leave.
This Was a Targeted Purge
So what was this "gross misconduct" in the Discord? Leaking GTA VI secrets?
No. The employee is adamant: "I never saw any discussion/leaking of Rockstar projects in the Union Discord."
The private Discord was only for Rockstar employees and officials from the IWGB Union. The only topic of discussion was unionization efforts and working conditions.
Here is the real motive, according to the source.
Just one week before the firings, the union had successfully signed up ~200 members. This took them over the 10% threshold legally required to seek recognition and begin collective bargaining.
And who were the 34 people who got fired? "predominantly from those who were on the Union Organising Committees of each UK studio."
This wasn't a misconduct firing. This was a targeted purge. Rockstar allegedly waited until the union was about to become official and then fired its leadership.
"Morale is at Rock Bottom"
That GTA VI delay I wrote about? The insider confirms that these were "critical roles" and the people fired "are not easily replaced and will certainly affect us in making our project deadlines".
The delay isn't just a PR spin to bury this story (though it's certainly that, too). It's a real, logistical wound that Rockstar inflicted on its own biggest project.
As for the people left? They are working in "fear".
Employees are reportedly "too scared to go outside the studio and talk to (or even acknowledge) our colleagues outside protesting in fear of reprisals." Morale, the employee says, is at "rock bottom".
This is the reward for trying to make Rockstar a "happier, fairer, safer and more equitable place".
The union is now fighting to get every single one of these employees reinstated. This is a critical fight. If a company as big as Rockstar can get away with this, every other publisher will be watching and taking notes.
The dismissed employees have a fundraiser to support their legal fight and cover their expenses while they're out of a job. You can find it here: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-rockstar-workers-fighting-unfair-dismissals/.