Rockstar Games is facing scrutiny in Scotland after reportedly firing over 30 employees for allegedly leaking confidential information about Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 on a private union Discord server, according to a report by People Make Games based on court documents from a wrongful termination case.
Read More: GTA 6 delay fears continue to intensify
The leaked information, which was deemed “top secret” by the company, revealed that the online mode of GTA 6 would support at least 32 players, only slightly higher than the 30-player limit (plus two spectators) in GTA V. Other messages discussed work logistics, including the presence of “at least 43 employees” from the Edinburgh QA team for stress tests and complaints about insufficient time off.
View this post on Instagram
Court papers indicate that Rockstar’s lawyer refused to read the leaked messages aloud in court due to their “sensitive” nature, asking the judge to review them instead. The discussions were primarily about internal testing procedures and employee concerns rather than core gameplay mechanics.
The mass firings have sparked controversy, as the discussions occurred in a private union Discord server, raising questions about employees’ rights to discuss working conditions versus their obligations under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Labor rights advocates argue that such forums should provide safe spaces for employees to raise workplace issues without fear of retaliation.
Read More: Mysterious GTA 6 character sparks fan frenzy – Daily Times
While a 32-player online mode may not seem dramatically different from GTA V, industry analysts note it could indicate a more detailed and reactive simulation in GTA 6, making the player count technically significant.
As of now, Rockstar has not publicly commented on the specifics of the tribunal or the firings, leaving many in the gaming community watching closely for further developments.