GTA 6’s Controversial 32-Player Online Feature Linked to Developer Firings, Court Documents Reveal

In late 2025, Rockstar, the studio behind GTA 6, let go of over 30 employees due to what they termed “gross misconduct,” specifically for leaking “specific game features” from upcoming titles in a “public forum.” This forum turned out to be a private Discord server where staff discussed their working conditions and engaged with representatives from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain. Recent court documents from Rockstar reveal that one of the major new features being discussed was a 32-player online mode.

A judge recently heard arguments from both Rockstar and the dismissed employees, ultimately siding with the company and denying interim relief to the affected workers ahead of the upcoming trial. During the hearing, Rockstar’s barrister, Andrew Burns, mentioned a “top secret” feature of GTA 6 that was revealed in the employee Discord messages.

Burns requested that the judge review this message privately, expressing concerns about discussing it publicly. However, the documents presented in court were not under any reporting restrictions, allowing for their examination at the Glasgow Tribunals Centre.

One notable message discussed Rockstar’s decision to limit the number of employees who could take time off simultaneously, which led to a mention of a challenging large session involving 32 players.

The 32-player online sessions align with what is currently available in GTA 5’s online mode, where 30 players can actively participate in a lobby, with two additional players able to spectate. Rockstar’s court filings also included various other Discord messages covering topics like AI policy, travel considerations, and crunch time at different sub-studios, but the 32-player feature was the only specific game detail highlighted.

In their legal response, Rockstar expressed serious concern over the unauthorized sharing of highly confidential and commercially sensitive information regarding the content and features of an unannounced online service. They noted that employees discussed the specific number of online players planned for this service, a significant aspect of the new title that has yet to be officially revealed.

Despite the excitement surrounding GTA 6, the studio’s alleged union-busting actions have sparked calls for political intervention from a Scottish councillor.