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
Former Rockstar staff currently embroiled in a legal battle with the company over their firings last year have asked supporters not to boycott GTA 6 , but instead to consider helping cover the costs of their fight against Rockstar by buying specially-designed union merchandise. Read more
In a legal dispute with Rockstar Studios over their dismissals in November last year, 34 former employees have requested supporters not to boycott the upcoming GTA 6, but to assist in funding their legal fight by purchasing specially-designed union merchandise. The dispute began with discussions about a new Slack policy in a union-run Discord server, with Rockstar alleging staff leaked confidential information and the Independent Workers’ union of Great Britain (IWGB) alleging union busting.
The IWGB and the fired developers have revealed their preferred method of solidarity: supporters should buy specially-designed union t-shirts, with proceeds going towards the "Fighting Fund" supporting the fired devs. Former Rockstar developer Jack Hoxby, a member of the IWGB Game Workers branch, emphasized that they poured years of their lives into the game and do not want players to boycott it. Instead, they urge supporters to help them fight for justice.
Hoxby highlighted the overwhelming support they have received from gamers and workers worldwide, and encouraged those who have asked whether they should boycott GTA VI to boycott Rockstar's actions instead. The union-designed t-shirts, called "Rockstar 34 Solidarity t-shirts," can be pre-ordered from the IWGB Game Workers site for £25, with the pre-order period ending on August 30th.
The shirts are expected to start shipping by mid-September. Meanwhile, the remaining Rockstar developers and the IWGB have formed the Rockstar Games Workers Union and are seeking recognition from the company.
Written by urgent.news from Rock Paper Shotgun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
