Rather than calling for GTA 6 boycott, fired Rockstar workers urge players to support them in their legal battle against the studio by buying union merch

===Rockstar Devs Ask for Support, Not a GTA 6 Boycott===

[Former Rockstar employees are asking gamers to support their legal battle by purchasing union merchandise instead of boycotting GTA 6.]

In an unusual turn of events, former Rockstar Games employees who were recently fired and are currently embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with the company are urging fans not to boycott the highly anticipated GTA 6. Instead, they’re asking for support through a different avenue: purchasing specially designed union merchandise. This approach aims to directly fund their fight against what they perceive as unfair labor practices.

The Fight for Fairness

Back in November of last year, 34 Rockstar employees were fired due to a controversy surrounding a new company Slack policy discussed within a union-run Discord server. Rockstar alleged that the staff had leaked “confidential information on a public forum,” while the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accused the studio of engaging in union busting tactics. This sets the stage for what is now a high-profile legal battle.

A Better Way to Show Support

With the final trial scheduled to begin on September 10th, the IWGB and the fired developers have outlined how supporters can best show solidarity. Rather than resorting to a boycott of GTA 6, they’re encouraging fans to purchase “Rockstar 34 Solidarity t-shirts.” The proceeds from these sales will go directly into a “Fighting Fund” dedicated to supporting the former employees in their legal battle.

“We poured years of our lives into helping build this game,” stated Jack Hoxby, an IWGB Game Workers branch member and one of the fired Rockstar developers. “We don’t want you to boycott it. We want you to help us fight for justice.” He continued, “Since Rockstar fired us suddenly last year, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of support from gamers and workers around the world. Some people have asked whether they should boycott GTA VI to protest on our behalf. But there’s a better way to support us and hold Rockstar to account. Buy one of our T-shirts. You’ll be helping to win justice for us and to defend the right of workers everywhere to come together and unionise. That way, when GTA VI comes out in November, you can enjoy it knowing that you had the backs of the people who made it.”

How to Help

The “Rockstar 34 Solidarity t-shirts” are currently available for pre-order via the IWGB Game Workers’ site for £25. The pre-order period will last until August 30th, with the shirts expected to start shipping by mid‑September.

The Bigger Picture

This situation highlights a growing trend within the gaming industry, where developers are increasingly seeking to unionize and advocate for better working conditions. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact Rockstar Games and the broader landscape of game development. The formation of the Rockstar Games Workers Union and their ongoing efforts to gain recognition from the company underscore the desire for a more equitable and representative workplace.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun