The Rockstar tribunal in Glasgow produced its most detailed testimony yet this week. Rockstar HR director Charlie Kinloch was questioned about a Discord informant and about why 34 developers were dismissed when they were, according to Kotaku’s October 9 report on the hearing. This is a legal dispute, not a game announcement, and nothing reported so far touches the release date. Grand Theft Auto VI is still set for November 19, 2026, and our GTA 6 countdown timer shows 39 days to go. But the case now sits in the final stretch before launch, so here is what was actually said and what remains disputed.
What Was Said at the Rockstar Tribunal
Kotaku reports that Kinloch was questioned about a junior employee identified only as “AB.” The fired developers allege AB passed screenshots from a separate Discord server to Kinloch for more than two years. Rockstar does not dispute that it received information from inside the server. Its own filing, as reported by Cheat Code Central, describes the people involved as whistleblowers rather than spies.
The 10% threshold claim
The claimants say the information showed the union was 12 members short of the 10% workforce level needed to seek statutory recognition in the UK. Kinloch’s answer, per Kotaku, was that he had no interest in the group’s union status and only wanted to limit the risk of leaks. Both versions were presented to the tribunal. Neither has been ruled on.
Why the timing is being challenged
The most pointed questions were about timing. Kotaku reports that Kinloch knew of the Discord comments in March and June 2025 but acted in October 2025. He told the tribunal Rockstar was nearing a major announcement and that the server’s fast-growing, unidentified membership made the risk urgent.
The claimants’ lawyer challenged that. Rockstar’s own statement describes a “serious threat” needing quick action, and the lawyer asked whether the gap between first awareness and the firings fit that description. Kotaku also notes that Rockstar announced the GTA 6 delay from May to November 2026 shortly after the dismissals at the end of October 2025.
The “adverse inference” request
AB is not permitted to testify. The claimants’ lawyer therefore asked the tribunal to draw an “adverse inference,” in plain terms to treat the missing evidence as counting against Rockstar. The lawyer claimed that AB and others received time off in lieu in exchange for passing on information. That is an allegation made in the hearing. The coverage we found does not report any ruling on it.
Where Each Side Stands
The case predates this week’s testimony, so here is the framework, using reporting from Game Developer, the Press Association and Aftermath.
- Rockstar’s position: the 34 workers were dismissed for gross misconduct over sharing confidential information, including with a server that it says reached roughly 350 people, among them former staff, competitors and a journalist. It says it is “hypervigilant” about security and will contest the claims vigorously.
- The workers’ position: the server was invite-only and verified, with channels siloed, and the firings were a deliberate attempt to stop the IWGB union gaining recognition.
- Earlier ruling: in January 2026 a tribunal judge refused interim relief, meaning the workers were not kept on pay while waiting. That was not a decision on the merits.
- The leak angle: Rockstar has told the tribunal that a “32-player format” was discussed in the server. We covered that filing in our GTA 6 Online 32-player report.
Timeline of the Rockstar Tribunal Case
Because several dates are in dispute, it helps to see who is claiming what. Items marked “alleged” come from the fired workers’ filings, not from findings by the tribunal.
- February 2024: alleged start of the informant’s contact with HR, with at least 26 meetings or communications over about 21 months (Game Developer).
- March and June 2025: Kinloch became aware of comments in the Discord, according to Kotaku’s hearing report.
- Mid-October 2025: Rockstar says it gained access to the server, with almost 350 people in the relevant room (Press Association, Game Developer).
- October 30, 2025: 34 workers are dismissed.
- January 12, 2026: interim relief refused, with the main case left for a full hearing.
- September 10 to October 16, 2026: the full hearing in Glasgow.
What the Rockstar Tribunal Means for GTA 6 Fans
For players, the practical answer is that nothing in the reporting changes launch plans. Take-Two reaffirmed the November 19 date in its August earnings report, and Rockstar’s Newswire still lists it. Our GTA 6 release date guide tracks that and every other confirmed date.
It is worth being careful about the delay. Kotaku notes the sequence of events, but no source we reviewed claims the tribunal case caused the delay, and Rockstar’s stated reason was extra polish. We are not drawing that link.
The fired developers have also said what they want from fans. As Everything Edinburgh reported in September, fired developer Jack Hoxby said: “We don’t want you to boycott it.” The group asks players to enjoy the game and support their legal fight instead.
What Happens Next in the Rockstar Tribunal
- Kotaku reports the hearing continues next week, with more Rockstar managers expected to testify.
- The hearing is scheduled to end October 16, but a ruling is a separate step. Aftermath reports a decision will likely be published on the UK government website once made, and no date has been announced.
- The earlier recognition push is covered in our Rockstar workers union report, and Rockstar’s leak response in our Take-Two subpoena report.
We will report developments as they are published. Launch-related news, as ever, lands first in our Rockstar news section, and edition details are in our GTA 6 pre-order guide.
The Bottom Line on the Rockstar Tribunal
The Rockstar tribunal has moved from opening arguments to cross-examination, and the key disputes are now clear: whether an informant fed Rockstar information about union activity, and whether the October 2025 firings were about leaks or about the union. Both are contested, the tribunal has not decided either, and the game’s November 19, 2026 launch is unaffected so far. We will update this report when the hearing concludes.
Sources & References
- Kotaku — “Rockstar HR Questioned Over Discord ‘Mole’ And Sudden Timing Of GTA 6 Dev Firings In Latest Labor Tribunal Hearing,” October 9, 2026
- Game Developer — “Rockstar and fired GTA developers outline core arguments during union busting tribunal,” September 11, 2026
- Press Association via Irish News — “GTA VI creator sacked employees after finding disparaging chat room, tribunal told,” September 10, 2026
- Aftermath — “Fired Rockstar Games workers rally as employment tribunal begins,” September 10, 2026
- Cheat Code Central — “Rockstar Planted an Informant in GTA 6 Workers’ Union Discord, Tribunal Filings Show,” September 11, 2026 (citing Rock Paper Shotgun, Game Developer and Herald Scotland)
- Everything Edinburgh — “Don’t Boycott GTA 6, Say the Workers Who Helped Build It,” September 25, 2026
- Notebookcheck (citing Bloomberg) and GTA BOOM — January 12–13, 2026 reports on the interim relief ruling
- Take-Two Interactive — Q1 fiscal 2027 earnings, August 2026, as reported by Quartz and Insider Gaming (release date reaffirmed)
- Rockstar Games Newswire — “Grand Theft Auto VI is Now Set to Launch November 19, 2026” (rockstargames.com)
