Former Rockstar Games employees embroiled in an ongoing legal dispute with the studio are encouraging fans to buy solidarity merchandise rather than boycott Grand Theft Auto VI.
The group of 34 developers was abruptly dismissed last November following allegations by Rockstar that they shared confidential details on a union-managed Discord server while discussing internal Slack policy changes. The Independent Workers’ union of Great Britain (IWGB) challenged the studio's claims, characterizing the terminations as an attempt at union busting.
With a final legal trial scheduled to begin on September 10, the IWGB and the affected workers have launched a fundraiser selling £25 "Rockstar 34 Solidarity" t-shirts. Money raised from the sales will go directly toward a legal defense fund for the terminated staff.
Former Rockstar developer and IWGB representative Jack Hoxby expressed gratitude for the widespread support from the gaming community, explaining that the goal is accountability rather than harming the project they spent years creating. Hoxby stated that purchasing the apparel directly assists their legal battle and defends unionization efforts across the gaming industry, allowing fans to enjoy the upcoming release knowing they backed the original creators.
Pre-orders for the t-shirts are available on the IWGB Game Workers website through August 30, with shipments expected by mid-September. In tandem with the legal proceedings, current Rockstar employees have collaborated with the IWGB to form the Rockstar Games Workers Union, which is currently seeking formal recognition from studio leadership.
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