The developers of Grand Theft Auto 6 who faced termination for gross misconduct were rumored to have been fired for leaking internal communications regarding the use of Slack emojis. However, this incident may not have been the only factor at play. A report indicates that Rockstar dismissed 34 developers in October 2025, alleging they leaked confidential company information via a private Discord server, which was established by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The union had reached a membership of 200 that week, surpassing the legal threshold to seek formal recognition.

As a consequence of the dismissals, union representatives accuse Rockstar of targeting union members, claiming that their actions represent blatant union-busting efforts. According to discussions reposted from the Discord server, many employees expressed their concerns over the firings, which they describe as unjustified and unrelated to any breach of confidentiality. Moreover, many former employees have speculated whether Rockstar misinterpreted the definition of ‘confidential’ during this series of events.

In the lead-up to removals, misplaced channels on the official Slack were scrubbed, with some employees dubbing it a ‘Slack purge.’ Insights share details about the seedling emoji, which symbolizes solidarity among employees and has reportedly been used in expressions of support for those affected by layoffs. The emoji became a significant part of discussions surrounding the management’s strategy, especially following the announcement of new Slack policies that limit emoji usage.

These developments raise substantial questions about employee rights, communication boundaries, and the balance of power between unions and management in the gaming industry.