Rockstar Employees Accuse Studio of Pay and Crunch Issues

Rockstar Games is facing fresh workplace criticism from current employees in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Three anonymous members of the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU) accused Rockstar Games of maintaining unequal pay practices, crunch, opaque bonuses, and reduced workplace flexibility during the development of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI). They shared the allegations during an interview with Game Developer.

Take-Two Interactive stated that it offers competitive compensation and will meet with the union following its request for voluntary recognition.

The employees are not involved in the separate legal dispute over alleged union busting. Instead, they said current staff face ongoing issues with career progression, compensation, and working conditions. They also argued that some developers are not being fairly rewarded despite working on what Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has called possibly “the most anticipated entertainment property of all time."

Rockstar Workers Raise Pay and Equality Concerns

According to the employees, a large part of annual compensation comes from discretionary bonuses. They noted that those bonuses vary between departments and team members without clear explanations. Workers also claimed promotion requirements often change, making career progression difficult.

One employee said, "a fifth of your salary could be withheld without any justification," leaving workers dependent on subjective management decisions. They also alleged that Rockstar's median gender pay gap has widened.

They claimed initiatives meant to reduce the gap have been scrapped.

The employees further pointed out that night-shift workers no longer receive additional benefits. They argued that these issues have created a growing sense of unfairness across parts of the studio. They further noted that Rockstar continues to receive significant U.K. tax relief while developing GTA VI.

Union Alleges Crunch and Reduced Workplace Flexibility

The employees also accused Rockstar of normalizing crunch. They said employment contracts include an opt-out from the U.K.'s Working Time Regulations 1998, allowing staff to voluntarily waive the statutory limit on average weekly working hours.

According to the union, a campaign encouraged workers to opt back into those protections. Rockstar later simplified that process. However, the employees claimed some teams continue to work extended overtime while others rarely experience crunches.

The workers also criticized Rockstar's return-to-office policy. They said the company previously indicated full-time office work would not return after the pandemic but later reversed that position. Moreover, they claimed senior leadership still has greater flexibility than most employees. The union argued that recent wage increases and policy changes at represented studios show that organizing can deliver results.

Take-Two has rejected the criticism.

A company spokesperson stated that it provides world-class working environments built on excellence, teamwork, and kindness. The publisher added that it offers competitive compensation and benefits while maintaining employee retention above the industry average.

Take-Two additionally confirmed it has received the union's request for voluntary recognition and plans to hold discussions.