Former employees of Rockstar Games, dismissed in what they claim was a ‘union-busting’ action, have urged fans not to boycott the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, despite their ongoing legal battle with the company.
Support Through Legal Action
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), representing the affected workers, released a video and social media post encouraging supporters to aid their legal efforts financially, rather than boycotting the game. The IWGB announced they have produced a new T-shirt for pre-order, with proceeds directed towards the legal costs for the displaced developers.
Preserving Their Creative Legacy
In the video, the developers express a desire for people to enjoy the game they helped create, while still holding Rockstar accountable. “We spent years pouring our hard work, skill, and creativity into making GTA, and we want people to experience the universe we built,” they stated. However, they emphasise that this does not mean Rockstar should be exempt from scrutiny.
Backdrop of a Legal Dispute
The dispute traces back to last autumn when 31 Rockstar employees, all union members, were terminated for “gross misconduct.” This action spurred an employment tribunal with Rockstar denying any intent of suppressing union activities. Since then, the union has gained traction among workers, while the tribunal proceedings continue.
Game Sales Remain Unaffected
Meanwhile, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remarked that the legal situation is unlikely to influence the sales of Grand Theft Auto 6. Released for pre-order late last month, the game quickly ascended to a top-selling position on the PlayStation Store globally.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.