On November 12, a trade union in the UK filed legal claims against Rockstar Games following the firing of several Grand Theft Auto 6 developers in late October. The union stated that the fired GTA 6 staff members were terminated by Rockstar in retaliation for trying to unionize, and filed legal claims for monetary compensation and relief against Rockstar in response.
On October 30, Rockstar Games let go of 31 developers who were working on Grand Theft Auto 6. Days after letting go of some staff members, Rockstar Games confirmed that the launch of GTA 6 would be delayed to November 19, 2026, a six-month move back from its initial May 2026 target. The delay is the second setback that GTA 6 has endured so far in its development. Rockstar previously stated that the new release date was made to give the developers more time to polish GTA 6 to a level that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
Rumor: Next Xbox and PlayStation Consoles May Be Delayed Due to GTA 6
An industry analyst predicts that Grand Theft Auto 6's latest delay could be impactful enough to push back the release of the PS6 and next-gen Xbox.
Rockstar Games Facing Legal Claims From IWGB Trade Union
Although Rockstar Games previously stated that the firings were over leaks concerning GTA 6, a British trade union is not buying the company's argument. The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) trade union filed legal claims against Rockstar for terminating 31 staff members from the GTA 6 development team. The union agreed with some of the former Rockstar Games staff members who said that they were fired for trying to unionize, and claimed Rockstar Games unfairly dismissed and blacklisted the aforementioned staffers. The IWGB stated that the former Rockstar Games staff members were IWGB union members, and that the legal claims would go toward seeking monetary compensation and relief against Rockstar Games. IWGB president Alex Marshall expressed confidence in the legal claims and said that the union will mount a "full legal defense" with its various caseworkers, barristers, and legal officers.
As of this writing, Rockstar Games has not responded to the IWGB's request for a meeting. The company previously denied that the firings caused GTA 6 to be delayed to November 2026. Due to Rockstar Games' apparent inaction, the IWGB chose to file legal claims against the company. It remains to be seen how Rockstar Games and Take-Two will react to the latest developments.
Between the legal claims and protests from fired GTA 6 staffers that took place outside Take-Two House in London, the IWGB's grievances against Rockstar Games show no signs of slowing down. Only time will tell how the IWGB's legal claims against Rockstar Games will play out.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- November 19, 2026
- ESRB
- Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.
Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.
- Prequel(s)
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 19, 2026
- PS5 Release Date
- November 19, 2026
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Sources: IWGB