Rockstar Games accused of crunch, pay inequity, and using bonuses to control staff ahead of GTA 6 launch

Former employees at Rockstar Games have accused the GTA 6 developer of maintaining a crunch culture, manipulating staff through opaque bonus structures, and failing to address a widening gender pay gap, according to a new report by Game Developer citing three anonymous members of the Rockstar Games Workers Union.

The details:

• Employees described bonus payments as unpredictable and inconsistent, with one saying: "The reasoning given is often nebulous, inconsistent between departments, even inconsistent between team members within the same department, and sometimes hinges on completely subjective or retroactive criticisms"
• On crunch, one employee noted the practice is embedded in contracts: "Crunch is prevalent enough that the company built into our contracts, as standard, an opt-out of the Working Time Regulations that stops your employer being able to ask you to do more than about 10 hours extra each week"
• Sources also alleged the gender pay gap at Rockstar has widened in recent years, despite the studio's public commitments to improving workplace culture
• The employees speaking out are not among those recently laid off amid alleged union-busting efforts at the studio
• One employee credited organising efforts with tangible results: "Since October, there have been unprecedented average wage increases in represented studios; for the first time ever, there is actually some financial incentive for crunch"
• Take-Two Interactive responded: "We strive to make the best games possible by giving our talented teams world-class work environments... We have received a request from a union seeking to discuss voluntary recognition. We value an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and will arrange to meet."