Fired Rockstar Games employees' case hits snag, as journalist may have seen GTA 6 leaks in Discord

A UK tribunal has denied ex-Rockstar Games workers financial relief. Their case against the company will continue, but the ruling has exposed some potential roadblocks. Among the revelations, a judge found that non-workers populated the union’s Discord server. As a result, it’s possible that a journalist viewed GTA 6 leaks and other confidential information.

Bloomberg reports that Judge Frances Eccles was unconvinced that the 31 employees were fired in an act of union busting. While the group won’t receive lost wages, they can still present their arguments in future hearings.

Union's Discord server details coming to light

The workers had logged onto a Discord server associated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). They claim they addressed only problems with office conditions and salaries. Notorious for enforcing strict NDAs, Rockstar believes that the communication divulged company secrets.

Judge Eccles seemed to side with the studio, raising concerns about the server’s list of 350 members. Approximately half worked for Rockstar, but the remainder included a writer who had published an article about GTA. That introduces the risk that GTA 6 leaks spread during the discussions. In addition, three of the chatters weren’t IWGB members, while others weren’t fired at all.

Rockstar isn't free and clear yet

The tribunal foreshadowed some legal hurdles Rockstar may have to clear. As part of the decision, the judge took issue with how the firings unfolded. Specifically, there was no sign of a thorough investigation or an appeals process. Also, the studio has yet to explain how it suffered negative consequences from the Discord activity.

Despite the setback, IWGB President Alex Marshall is “more confident than ever that a full and substantive tribunal will find Rockstar’s calculated attempt to crush a union to be not only unjust but unlawful.” Meanwhile, a Rockstar Games representative told Bloomberg that the outcome justifies its position.

UK courts will determine whether the workers engaged in gross misconduct, as Rockstar alleges. If GTA 6 leaks surface, it would undoubtedly fight to keep those discoveries from becoming public.