{
  "id": 6607388,
  "title": "'The modern workplace runs on fear ... today we are fighting fear': Fired Grand Theft Auto 6 dev calls out Rockstar in impassioned pre-trial speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/the-modern-workplace-runs-on-fear-today-we-are-fighting-fear-fired",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-10T15:59:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/the-modern-workplace-runs-on-fear-today-we-are-fighting-fear-fired-grand-theft-auto-6-dev-calls-out-rockstar-in-impassioned-pre-trial-speech/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former Rockstar programmer, Rachel Crawford, passionately denounced the video game developer at a rally in Glasgow, Scotland, marking the commencement of the final workplace tribunal hearing for 31 terminated employees. The dispute revolves around the reason behind the layoffs - Rockstar claims the staff leaked details of unannounced games, while the union asserts it was an act of union busting, and that the company acted unfairly by immediately firing employees without following due process or granting them a chance to appeal.\n\nThe terminated employees are seeking a declaration that their dismissals were unjust, along with reinstatement or compensation. Union president Alex Marshall called Rockstar's actions \"Grand Theft Employment Rights.\" The hearing, which will last for five weeks, aims to expose the truth behind the employees' dismissals.\n\nDuring the rally, Crawford shared her experience of being fired by Rockstar without warning or explanation, feeling humiliated and ashamed. She described the fear that gripped her and her former colleagues, making them feel powerless and silenced. Crawford emphasized that fear has the power to rule over us, closing our minds, hearts, and horizons, and making us small, sad and hopeless. However, today, they are fighting back against fear and determined to stand up, speak their truth, and demand a better industry and world.",
  "summary": "The final hearing in the dispute between Rockstar and 31 employees who were fired in 2025 begins today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Rockstar programmer Rachel Crawford denounced company at Glasgow rally",
    "31 terminated employees filing unfair dismissal claims in tribunal",
    "Crawford's impassioned speech aims to fight fear in workplace"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Grand Theft Auto 6 is already an official Guinness World Record holder, and it's expected to break even more records at launch — 'GTA 6’s release is a really global phenomenon in a way that few things are'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/grand-theft-auto-6-is-already-an-official-guinness-world-record",
        "published": "2026-09-11T13:30:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}