A former employee of Rockstar Games, Dayne Oram, has made serious allegations against the company, claiming that staff were placed on a 'watch list' for engaging in union activities. This assertion was brought to light during an employment tribunal where Oram and several other dismissed employees are seeking justice for their terminations, which they allege were retaliatory actions against their efforts to unionize.

Oram, who was dismissed in October 2025, testified that after a petition advocating for remote work was submitted in spring 2023, Rockstar North began monitoring a small group of employees, particularly those who were union members. He emphasized that while there were around 150 signatures on the petition, a significant portion of those signatories were affiliated with the union.

Rockstar Games has denied these allegations, stating that the dismissals were due to 'gross misconduct' related to the sharing of confidential information on an online forum. According to the company, 34 employees were let go, with 23 participating in the tribunal proceedings. Most of the affected workers were based in Edinburgh, with some from Canada.

The tribunal also heard about a Discord server that Oram helped establish, which served as a platform for approximately 300 employees to discuss company matters. During the proceedings, Rockstar's legal representative questioned the moderation of the forum, suggesting that rules were often violated. Oram acknowledged that some moderation decisions could have been handled differently.

In a broader context, Rockstar Games is preparing for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19, which is anticipated to break sales records. The game will feature the series' first female playable character, Lucia, alongside her partner Jason. The company has stated that the allegations of unfair dismissal will be vigorously defended in court.

The tribunal, presided over by Judge Lucy Wiseman, is ongoing as both parties present their cases.